It is the prerogative of great men only to have great defects.

It appears that nature has hid at the bottom of our hearts talents and abilities unknown to us. It is only the passions that have the power of bringing them to light, and sometimes give us views more true and more perfect than art could possibly do.

Moderation is a fear of falling into that envy and contempt which those who grow giddy with their good fortune quite justly draw upon themselves. It is a vain boasting of the greatness of our mind.

We endeavor to make a virtue of the faults we are unwilling to correct.

What makes the pain we feel from shame and jealousy so cutting is that vanity can give us no assistance in bearing them.

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.

Bravery in simple soldiers is a dangerous trade, to which they have bound themselves to get their livelihood.