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

Before we set our hearts too much upon anything, let us examine how happy they are, who already possess it.

He is a truly virtuous man who wishes always to be open to the observation of honest men.

One man may be more cunning than another, but no one can be more cunning than all the world.

Mediocre minds usually dismiss anything which reaches beyond their own understanding.

Gratitude is like credit; it is the backbone of our relations; frequently we pay our debts not because equity demands that we should, but to facilitate future loans.

Men are often so foolish as to boast and value themselves upon their passions, even those that are most vicious. But envy is a passion so full of cowardice and shame that no one every ever had the confidence to own it.