Our repentances are generally not so much a concern and remorse for the harm we have done, as a fear of the harm we may have brought upon ourselves.

Nothing is so capable of diminishing self-love as the observation that we disapprove at one time what we approve at another.

The height of cleverness is to be able to conceal it.

Perfect courage and utter cowardice are two extremes which rarely occur.

All the passions make us commit faults; love makes us commit the most ridiculous ones.

We cannot possibly imagine the variety of contradictions in every heart.

The same strength of character which helps a man resist love, helps to make it more violent and lasting too. People of unsettled minds are always driven about with passions, but never absolutely filled with any.