When the philosophers despised riches, it was because they had a mind to vindicate their own merit, and take revenge upon the injustice of fortune by vilifying those enjoyments which she had not given them.

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.

Envy is more irreconcilable than hatred.

Eloquence resides as much in the tone of voice, in the eyes, and in the expression of the face, as in the choice of words.

Humility is often only feigned submission which people use to render others submissive. It is a subterfuge of pride which lowers itself in order to rise.

Men frequently do good only to give themselves opportunity of doing ill with impunity.

There are few people who are more often in the wrong than those who cannot endure to be so.