There is a kind of elevation which does not depend on fortune; it is a certain air which distinguishes us, and seems to destine us for great things; it is a price which we imperceptibly set upon ourselves.

Treachery is more often the effect of weakness than of a formed design.

There is something to be said for jealousy, because it only designs the preservation of some good which we either have or think wehave a right to. But envy is a raging madness that cannot bear the wealth or fortune of others.

Moderation is represented as a virtue in order to restrain the ambition of great men, and to console those of a meaner condition in their lesser merit and fortune.

We should not be upset that others hide the truth from us, when we hide it so often from ourselves.

The world more often rewards the appearances of merit than merit itself.

Happiness is in the taste, and not in the things themselves; we are happy from possessing what we like, not from possessing what others like.