The art of putting into play mediocre qualities often begets more reputation than is achieved by true merit.

A man of understanding finds less difficulty in submitting to a wrong-headed fellow, than in attempting to set him right.

Idleness is more an infirmity of the mind than of the body.

The health of the soul is something we can be no more sure of than that of the body; and though a man may seem far from the passions, yet he is in as much danger of falling into them as one in a perfect state of health of having a fit of sickness.

Our actions seem to have their lucky and unlucky stars, to which a great part of that blame and that commendation is due which is given to the actions themselves.

It is not enough to have great qualities; We should also have the management of them.

If one judges love according to the greatest part of the effects it produces, it would appear to resemble rather hatred than kindness.