Many men are contemptuous of riches; few can give them away.

Love of fame, fear of disgrace, schemes for advancement, desire to make life comfortable and pleasant, and the urge to humiliate others are often at the root of the valour men hold in such high esteem.

Loyalty is in most people only a ruse used by self-interest to attract confidence.

Few people have the wisdom to prefer the criticism that would do them good, to the praise that deceives them.

The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.

There are no events so disastrous that adroit men do not draw some advantage from them, nor any so fortunate that the imprudent cannot turn to their own prejudice.

If we have not peace within ourselves, it is in vain to seek it from outward sources.