One kind of happiness is to know exactly at what point to be miserable.

We often forgive those who bore us, but we cannot forgive those whom we bore.

It seems that nature, which has so wisely disposed our bodily organs with a view to our happiness, has also bestowed on us pride, to spare us the pain of being aware of our imperfections.

Nothing is so contagious as example; never was there any considerable good or ill done that does not produce its like. We imitate good actions through emulation, and had ones through a malignity in our nature, which shame conceals, and example sets at liberty.

We easily forgive our friends those faults that do no affect us ourselves.

True bravery is shown by performing without witness what one might be capable of doing before all the world.

Moderation is the feebleness and sloth of the soul, whereas ambition is the warmth and activity of it.