Fortune and humor govern the world.

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

Folly pursues us at all periods of our lives. If someone seems wise it is only because his follies are proportionate to his age and fortune.

Passion often makes fools of the wisest men and gives the silliest wisdom.

We torment ourselves rather to make it appear that we are happy than to become so.

We have more ability than will power, and it is often an excuse to ourselves that we imagine that things are impossible.

There are reproaches which praise, and praises which defame.