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

Some follies are caught, like contagious diseases.

Humility is the altar upon which God wishes that we should offer Him His sacrifices.

Only strong natures can really be sweet ones; those that seem sweet are in general only weak, and may easily turn sour.

When we enlarge upon the affection our friends have for us, this is very often not so much out of a sense of gratitude as from a desire to persuade people of our own great worth, that can deserve so much kindness.

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

The principal point of cleverness is to know how to value things just as they deserve.