The contempt of riches in philosophers was only a hidden desire to avenge their merit upon the injustice of fortune, by despising the very goods of which fortune had deprived them; it was a secret to guard themselves against the degradation of poverty, it was a back way by which to arrive at that distinction which they could not gain by riches.

Sometimes in life situations develop that only the half-crazy can get out of.

Love is one and the same in the original; but there are a thousand different copies of it.

Virtues lose themselves in self-interest, as rivers in the sea.

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.

The height of ability in the least able consists in knowing how to submit to the good leadership of others.

As it is the characteristic of great wits to say much in few words, so small wits seem to have the gift of speaking much and saying nothing.