It is only persons of firmness that can have real gentleness. Those who appear gentle are, in general, only a weak character, which easily changes into asperity.

We should desire very few things passionately if we did but perfectly know the nature of the things we desire.

We can be more clever than one, but not more clever than all.

Moderation is like sobriety: you would like to have some more, but are afraid of making yourself ill.

No men are oftener wrong than those that can least bear to be so.

Almost everyone takes pleasure in repaying trifling obligations, very many feel gratitude for those that are moderate; but there is scarcely anyone who is not ungrateful for those that are weighty.

There are some persons who only disgust with their abilities, there are persons who please even with their faults.