Pity is often a reflection of our own evils in the ills of others. It is a delicate foresight of the troubles into which we may fall.

It is oftener by the estimation of our own feelings that we exaggerate the good qualities of others than by their merit, and when we praise them we wish to attract their praise.

We acknowledge our faults in order to repair by our sincerity the damage they have done us in the eyes of others.

All the passions are nothing else than different degrees of heat and cold of the blood.

The daily employment of cunning marks a little mind, it generally happens that those who resort to it in one respect to protect themselves lay themselves open to attack in another.

No one thinks fortune so blind as those she has been least kind to.

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.