Raillery is more insupportable than wrong; because we have a right to resent injuries, but are ridiculous in being angry at a jest.

We often are consoled by our want of reason for misfortunes that reason could not have comforted.

The blindness of men is the most dangerous effect of their pride; it seems to nourish and augment it; it deprives them of knowledge of remedies which can solace their miseries and can cure their faults.

It is far better to be deceived than undeceived by those whom we tenderly love.

Happy people rarely correct their faults; they consider themselves vindicated, since fortune endorses their evil ways.

It is the prerogative of great men only to have great defects.

The height of cleverness is to be able to conceal it.