In great affairs we ought to apply ourselves less to creating chances than to profiting from those that offer.

Jealousy contains more of self-love than of love.

The largest ambition has the least appearance of ambition when it meets with an absolute impossibility in compassing its object.

Moderation is a fear of falling into that envy and contempt which those who grow giddy with their good fortune quite justly draw upon themselves. It is a vain boasting of the greatness of our mind.

Were we faultless, we would not derive such satisfaction from remarking the faults of others.

To know oneself is not necessarily to improve oneself

Perfect valour consists in doing without witnesses that which we would be capable of doing before everyone.