Nature seems at each man's birth to have marked out the bounds of his virtues and vices, and to have determined how good or how wicked that man shall be capable of being.

Raillery is more insupportable than wrong; because we have a right to resent injuries, but are ridiculous in being angry at a jest.

Renewed friendships require more care than those that have never been broken.

Solemnity is a device of the body to hide the faults of the mind.

Our merit gains us the esteem of the virtuous-our star that of the public.

The constancy of sages is nothing but the art of locking up their agitation in their hearts.

If we never flattered ourselves we should have but scant pleasure.