Without humility, we keep all our defects; and they are only crusted over by pride, which conceals them from others, and often from ourselves.

The constancy of the wise is only the art of keeping disquietude to one's self.

As the great ones of this world are unable to bestow health of body or peace of mind, we always pay too high a price for any good they can do.

We should wish for few things with eagerness, if we perfectly knew the nature of that which was the object of our desire.

We should scarcely desire things ardently if we were perfectly acquainted with what we desire.

Nothing is so contagious as example; and we never do any great good or evil which does not produce its like.

Man only blames himself in order that he may be praised.