The judgments our enemies make about us come nearer to the truth than those we make about ourselves.

Vices are ingredients of virtues just as poisons are ingredients of remedies. Prudence mixes and tempers them and uses them effectively against life's ills.

The contempt of riches in the philosophers was a concealed desire of revenging on fortune the injustice done to their merit, by despising the good she denied them.

The applause we give those who are new to society often proceeds from a secret envying of those already established.

There is at least as much eloquence in the voice, eyes, and air of a speaker as in his choice of words.

The most subtle of our acts is to simulate blindness for snares that we know are set for us.

In love deceit nearly always goes further than mistrust.