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

The passions do very often give birth to others of a nature most contrary to their own. Thus avarice sometimes brings forth prodigality, and prodigality avarice; a man's resolution is very often the effect of levity, and his boldness that of cowardice and fear.

No accidents are so unlucky [bad] but that the wise may draw some advantage [good] from them.

In great affairs we ought to apply ourselves less to creating chances than to profiting from those that offer.

It is from a weakness and smallness of mind that men are opinionated; and we are very loath to believe what we are not able to comprehend.

It is as easy to deceive one's self without perceiving it, as it is difficult to deceive others without their finding out.

Nothing is so contagious as example.