We cannot possibly imagine the variety of contradictions in every heart.

The constancy of the wise is only the talent of concealing the agitation of their hearts.

Sometimes a fool has talent, but never judgment.

The esteem of good men is the reward of our worth, but the reputation of the world in general is the gift of our fate.

Those who are condemned to death affect sometimes a constancy and contempt for death which is only the fear of facing it; so that one may say that this constancy and contempt are to their mind what the bandage is to their eyes.

Often we are firm from weakness, and audacious from timidity.

When our vices leave us, we like to imagine it is we who are leaving them.