If we resist our passions, it is more due to their weakness than our strength.

Women can more easily conquer their passion than their coquetterie.

The happiness and misery of men depend no less on temper than fortune.

It is praiseworthy even to attempt a great action.

When we enlarge upon the affection our friends have for us, this is very often not so much out of a sense of gratitude as from a desire to persuade people of our own great worth, that can deserve so much kindness.

Few things are needful to make the wise man happy, but nothing satisfies the fool; - and this is the reason why so many of mankind are miserable.

The desire which urges us to deserve praise strengthens our good qualities, and praise given to wit, valour, and beauty, tends to increase them.