There are a great many simpletons who know themselves to be so, and who make a very cunning use of their own simplicity.

We all have enough strength to endure the misfortunes of others.

We should not be upset that others hide the truth from us, when we hide it so often from ourselves.

What keeps us from abandoning ourselves entirely to one vice, often, is the fact that we have several.

It is more often from pride than from defective understanding that people oppose established opinions: they find the best places taken in the good party and are reluctant to accept inferior ones.

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.

The largest ambition has the least appearance of ambition when it meets with an absolute impossibility in compassing its object.