Jealousy is always born with love, but does not die with it. In jealousy there is more of self-love than of love to another.

Before strongly desiring anything, we should look carefully into the happiness of its present owner.

There is a kind of elevation which does not depend on fortune; it is a certain air which distinguishes us, and seems to destine us for great things; it is a price which we imperceptibly set upon ourselves.

That which makes the vanity of others unbearable to us is that which wounds our own.

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

A great many men's gratitude is nothing but a secret desire to hook in more valuable kindnesses hereafter.

We often act treacherously more from weakness than from a fixed motive.