Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on.

We are better pleased to see those on whom we confer benefits than those from whom we receive them.

Jealousy is always born with love, but does not die with it. In jealousy there is more of self-love than of love to another.

It is a great act of cleverness to be able to conceal one's being clever.

All the passions make us commit faults; love makes us commit the most ridiculous ones.

We forget our faults easily when they are known to ourselves alone.

Vices are ingredients of virtues just as poisons are ingredients of remedies. Prudence mixes and tempers them and uses them effectively against life's ills.