The surest proof of being endowed with noble qualities is to be free from envy.

True friendship destroys envy, and true love destroys coquetterie.

Our actions seem to have their lucky and unlucky stars, to which a great part of that blame and that commendation is due which is given to the actions themselves.

We give advice, we do not inspire conduct.

The health of the soul is something we can be no more sure of than that of the body; and though a man may seem far from the passions, yet he is in as much danger of falling into them as one in a perfect state of health of having a fit of sickness.

It is a species of coquetry to make a parade of never practising it.

Truth does less good in the world than its appearances do harm.