We should desire very few things passionately if we did but perfectly know the nature of the things we desire.

What often prevents our abandoning ourselves to a single vice is, our having more than one.

Nature makes merit, and fortune puts it to work.

We are much harder on people who betray us in small ways than on people who betray others in great ones.

We should wish for few things with eagerness, if we perfectly knew the nature of that which was the object of our desire.

Innocence is lucky if it finds the same protection as guilt

We should often blush at our noblest deeds if the world were to see all their underlying motives.