A clever man reaps some benefit from the worst catastrophe, and a fool can turn even good luck to his disadvantage.

Few things are impossible in themselves: application to make them succeed fails us more often than the means.

The fondness or indifference that the philosophers expressed for life was merely a preference inspired by their self-love, and will no more bear reasoning upon than the relish of the palate or the choice of colors.

Our wisdom is no less at fortune's mercy than our wealth.

Self-love makes our friends appear more or less deserving in proportion to the delight we take in them, and the measures by whichwe judge of their worth depend upon the manner of their conversing with us.

The tranquility or agitation of our temper does not depend so much on the big things which happen to us in life, as on the pleasant or unpleasant arrangements of the little things which happen daily.

It is with true love as it is with ghosts; everyone talks about it, but few have seen it.