Though confidence is very fine, and makes the future sunny; I want no confidence for mine, I'd rather have the money

Too great cleverness is but deceptive delicacy, true delicacy is the most substantial cleverness.

We are more interested in making others believe we are happy than in trying to be happy ourselves.

We are never either so fortunate or so misfortunate as we imagine.

Moderation in people who are contented comes from that calm that good fortune lends to their spirit.

It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions only, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. Idleness, languid as it is, often masters them all; she influences all our designs and actions, and insensibly consumes and destroys both passions and virtues.

When we disclaim praise, it is only showing our desire to be praised a second time.