The health of the soul is as precarious as that of the body; for when we seem secure from passions, we are no less in danger of their infection than we are of falling ill when we appear to be well.

We often in our misfortunes take that for constancy and patience which is only dejection of mind; we suffer without daring to holdup our heads, just as cowards let themselves be knocked on the head because they have not courage to strike back.

There are persons whose only merit consists in saying and doing stupid things at the right time, and who ruin all if they change their manners.

Innocence is lucky if it finds the same protection as guilt

What makes false reckoning, as regards gratitude, is that the pride of the giver and the receiver cannot agree as to the value of the benefit.

Our temper sets a price upon every gift that we receive from fortune.

Narrow minds think nothing right that is above their own capacity.