There are few people who are more often in the wrong than those who cannot endure to be so.

We often pride ourselves on even the most criminal passions, but envy is a timid and shamefaced passion we never dare to acknowledge.

People are more slanderous from vanity than from malice.

It is as commendable to think well of oneself when alone, as it is ridiculous to speak well of oneself among others.

A weak mind is the only defect out of our power to mend.

Unfaithfulness ought to extinguish love, and we should not be jealous when there is reason to be. Only those who give no grounds for jealousy are worthy of it.

Our repentances are generally not so much a concern and remorse for the harm we have done, as a fear of the harm we may have brought upon ourselves.