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.

As the great ones of this world are unable to bestow health of body or peace of mind, we always pay too high a price for any good they can do.

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.

Renewed friendships require more care than those that have never been broken.

The soul's maladies have their relapses like the body's. What we take for a cure is often just a momentary rally or a new form of the disease.

In all professions each affects a look and an exterior to appear what he wishes the world to believe that he is. Thus we may say that the whole world is made up of appearances.

Before we set our hearts too much upon anything, let us examine how happy they are, who already possess it.