Ideas often flash across our minds more complete than we could make them after much labor.

The breeding we give young people is ordinarily but an additional self-love, by which we make them have a better opinion of themselves.

Moderation cannot have the credit of combatiug and subduing ambition, they are never found together. Moderation is the languor and indolence of the soul, as ambition is its activity and ardor.

Men give away nothing so liberally as their advice.

Luxury and excessive refinement are sure forerunners of the decadence of states, because when all individuals seek their own interests they neglect the public weal.

Too great haste to repay an obligation is a kind of ingratitude.

They that apply themselves to trifling matters commonly become incapable of great ones.