A wise man should order his interests, and set them all in their proper places. This order is often troubled by greed, which putsus upon pursuing so many things at once that, in eagerness for matters of less consideration, we grasp at trifles, and let go things of greater value.

We are very far from always knowing our own wishes.

There are people who in spite of their merit disgust us and others who please us in spite of their faults.

Strength and weakness of mind are misnomers; they are really nothing but the good or bad health of our bodily organs.

The pleasure of love is in loving; we are happier in the passion we feel than in what we inspire.

Very few people are acquainted with death. They undergo it, commonly, not so much out of resolution as custom and insensitivity; and most men die because they cannot help it.

Weak people cannot be sincere.