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.

Those who are themselves incapable of great crimes are ever backward to suspect others.

Instead of considering that the worst way to persuade or please others is to try thus strongly to please ourselves, and that to listen well and to answer well are some of the greatest charms we can have in conversation.

Without humility, we keep all our defects; and they are only crusted over by pride, which conceals them from others, and often from ourselves.

The vices enter into the composition of the virtues, as poisons into that of medicines. Prudence collects and arranges them, and uses them beneficially against the ills of life.

Vanity, shame, and above all disposition, often make men brave and women chaste.

The truest mark of being born with great qualities is to be born without envy.