Even the most disinterested love is, after all, but a kind of bargain, in which self-love always proposes to be the gainer one wayor another.

Those great and glorious actions that dazzle our eyes with their luster are represented by statesmen as the result of great wisdomand excellent design; whereas, in truth, they are commonly the effects of the humors and passions.

As we grow older, we increase in folly--and in wisdom.

One forgives to the degree that one loves.

Tastes in young people are changed by natural impetuosity, and in the aged are preserved by habit.

The daily employment of cunning marks a little mind, it generally happens that those who resort to it in one respect to protect themselves lay themselves open to attack in another.

Philosophy triumphs easily over past evils and future evils, but present evils triumph over it.