The sure mark of one born with noble qualities is being born without envy.

The fondness or indifference that the philosophers expressed for life was merely a preference inspired by their self-love, and will no more bear reasoning upon than the relish of the palate or the choice of colors.

Reason alone is insufficient to make us enthusiastic in any matter.

True friendship destroys envy, and true love destroys coquetterie.

Those whom the world has delighted to honor have oftener been influenced in their doings by ambition and vanity than by patriotism.

Truth does less good in the world than its appearances do harm.

A man, in order to establish himself in the world, does everything he can to appear established there.