We should only affect compassion, and carefully avoid having any.

The passions are the only orators that always persuade: they are, as it were, a natural art, the rules of which are infallible; and the simplest man with passion is more persuasive than the most eloquent without it.

Passion makes idiots of the cleverest men, and makes the biggest idiots clever.

Some crimes get honor and renown by being committed with more pomp, by a greater number, and in a higher degree of wickedness thanothers. Hence it is that public robberies, plunderings, and sackings have been looked upon as excellencies and noble achievements, and the seizing of whole countries, however unjustly and barbarously, is dignified with the glorious name of gaining conquests.

A clever man reaps some benefit from the worst catastrophe, and a fool can turn even good luck to his disadvantage.

To know how to hide one's ability is great skill.

We give nothing so freely as advice.