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.

Love of glory, fear of shame, greed for fortune, the desire to make life agreeable and comfortable, and the wish to depreciate others - all of these are often the causes of the bravery that is spoken so highly of by men.

Jealousy lives upon doubts. It becomes madness or ceases entirely as soon as we pass from doubt to certainty.

One forgives to the degree that one loves.

The best way to rise in society is to use all possible means of persuading people that one has already risen in society.

Self-love, as it happens to be well or ill conducted, constitutes virtue and vice.

It is much easier to seem fitted for posts we do not fill than for those we do.