Nature makes merit, and fortune puts it to work.

Perseverance is neither praiseworthy nor blameworthy; for it seems to be only the enduring of certain inclinations and opinions which men neither give themselves nor take away from themselves.

There are a great many men valued in society who have nothing to recommend them but serviceable vices.

We forget our faults easily when they are known to ourselves alone.

No matter how brilliant an action, it should not be considered great unless it was the result of a great motive.

Gallantry of mind consists in saying flattering things in an agreeable manner.

Neither the sun nor death can be looked at steadily.