We are almost always bored by just those whom we must not find boring.

Passion makes idiots of the cleverest men, and makes the biggest idiots clever.

The constancy of the wise is only the art of keeping disquietude to one's self.

We often brag that we are never bored with ourselves, and are so vain as never to think ourselves bad company.

Some good qualities are like the senses: Those who are entirely deprived of them can have no notion of them.

The force we use on ourselves, to prevent ourselves from loving, is often more cruel than the severest treatment at the hands of one loved.

The surest proof of being endowed with noble qualities is to be free from envy.