Great souls are not those who have fewer passions and more virtues than others, but only those who have greater designs.

Men more easily renounce their interests than their tastes.

Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on.

We would frequently be ashamed of our good deeds if people saw all of the motives that produced them.

Spiritual health is no more stable than bodily; and though we may seem unaffected by the passions we are just as liable to be carried away by them as to fall ill when in good health.

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.

Fortune never appears so blind as to those to whom she does no good.