Fortune makes our virtues and vices visible, just as light does the objects of sight.

Being a blockhead is sometimes the best security against being cheated by a man of wit.

The world more often rewards the appearances of merit than merit itself.

The caprice of our temper is even more whimsical than that of Fortune.

It's easier to know people in general than one person in particular

Intrepidity is an extraordinary strength of soul, which raises it above the troubles, disorders and emotions which the sight of great perils can arouse in it; by this strength heroes maintain a calm aspect and preserve their reason and liberty in the most surprising and terrible accidents.

Men more easily renounce their interests than their tastes.