The intellect is always fooled by the heart.

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

There are various sorts of curiosity; one is from interest, which makes us desire to know that which may be useful to us; and the other, from pride which comes from the wish to know what others are ignorant of.

We have not strength enough to follow our reason so far as it would carry us.

Narrowness of mind is often the cause of obstinacy; we do not easily believe beyond what we see.

No accidents are so unlucky [bad] but that the wise may draw some advantage [good] from them.

Whatever distrust we may have of the sincerity of those who converse with us, we always believe they will tell us more truth than they do to others.