The boldest stroke and best act of friendship is not to disclose our own failings to a friend, but to show him his own.

If we resist our passions, it is more due to their weakness than our strength.

Jealousy is not so much the love of another as the love of ourselves.

Ridicule dishonours more than dishonour.

Love of glory, fear of shame, greed for fortune, the desire to make life agreeable and comfortable, and the wish to depreciate others - all of these are often the causes of the bravery that is spoken so highly of by men.

Gratitude is a useless word. You will find it in a dictionary but not in life.

Generosity is the vanity of giving.