People that are conceited of their own merit take pride in being unfortunate, that themselves and others may think them considerable enough to be the envy and the mark of fortune.

Our concern for the loss of our friends is not always from a sense of their worth, but rather of our own need of them and that we have lost some who had a good opinion of us.

However great the advantages given us by nature, it is not she alone, but fortune with her, which makes heroes.

Consolation for unhappiness can often be found in a certain satisfaction we get from looking unhappy.

To praise princes for virtues they do not possess is to insult them without fear of consequences.

Love of glory, fear of shame, greed for fortune, the desire to make life agreeable and comfortable, and the wish to depreciate others - all of these are often the causes of the bravery that is spoken so highly of by men.

Fortune never appears so blind as to those to whom she does no good.