How can we be answerable for what we shall want in the future, since we have no clear idea of what we want now?

If there be a love pure and free from the admixture of our other passions, it is that which lies hidden in the bottom of our heart, and which we know not ourselves.

We often in our misfortunes take that for constancy and patience which is only dejection of mind; we suffer without daring to holdup our heads, just as cowards let themselves be knocked on the head because they have not courage to strike back.

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

Silence is the best security to the man who distrusts himself.

When the soul is ruffled by the remains of one passion, it is more disposed to entertain a new one than when it is entirely curedand at rest from all.

It is a common fault never to be satisfied with our fortune, nor dissatisfied with our understanding.