Behind many acts that are thought ridiculous there lie wise and weighty motives.

There are few things we should keenly desire if we really knew what we wanted.

Those great and glorious actions that dazzle our eyes with their luster are represented by statesmen as the result of great wisdomand excellent design; whereas, in truth, they are commonly the effects of the humors and passions.

We may seem great in an employment below our worth, but we very often look little in one that is too big for us.

We should desire very few things passionately if we did but perfectly know the nature of the things we desire.

Jealousy springs more from love of self than from love of another.

You are never so easily fooled as when trying to fool someone else.