Happiness does not consist in things themselves but in the relish we have of them; and a man has attained it when he enjoys what he loves and desires himself, and not what other people think lovely and desirable.

We are all strong enough to bear other men's misfortunes.

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

When we enlarge upon the affection our friends have for us, this is very often not so much out of a sense of gratitude as from a desire to persuade people of our own great worth, that can deserve so much kindness.

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

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.

Imagination could never invent the number of different contradictions that exist innately in each person's heart.