Gratitude is like credit; it is the backbone of our relations; frequently we pay our debts not because equity demands that we should, but to facilitate future loans.

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

Moderation cannot have the credit of combatiug and subduing ambition, they are never found together. Moderation is the languor and indolence of the soul, as ambition is its activity and ardor.

Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on.

The principal point of cleverness is to know how to value things just as they deserve.

It is worth nothing to be young without being beautiful, nor to be beautiful without being young.

If we had no faults, we would not derive so much pleasure from noting those of other people.