A man's happiness or unhappiness depends as much on his temperament as on his destiny.

We cannot possibly imagine the variety of contradictions in every heart.

We would rather speak ill of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.

Men are not only prone to forget benefits; they even hate those who have obliged them, and cease to hate those who have injured them. The necessity of revenging an injury, or of recompensing a benefit seems a slavery to which they are unwilling to submit.

If one acts rightly and honestly, it is difficult to decide whether it is the effect of integrity or skill.

We have not enough strength to follow all our reason.

A true friend is the most precious of all possessions and the one we take the least thought about acquiring.