Affected simplicity is a subtle imposture.

Passion often makes fools of the wisest men and gives the silliest wisdom.

Perfect courage and utter cowardice are two extremes which rarely occur.

Constancy in love is of two sorts: One is the effect of new excellencies that are always presenting themselves afresh, and attractour affections continually; the other is only from a point of honor, and a taking of pride not to change.

When the philosophers despised riches, it was because they had a mind to vindicate their own merit, and take revenge upon the injustice of fortune by vilifying those enjoyments which she had not given them.

It is easy to be wise on behalf of others than to be so for ourselves.

Passion makes idiots of the cleverest men, and makes the biggest idiots clever.