Interest blinds some people, and enlightens others.

Intrepidity is an extraordinary strength of soul, which raises it above the troubles, disorders and emotions which the sight of great perils can arouse in it; by this strength heroes maintain a calm aspect and preserve their reason and liberty in the most surprising and terrible accidents.

Philosophy triumphs easily over past evils and future evils, but present evils triumph over it.

Women's virtue is frequently nothing but a regard to their own quiet and a tenderness for their reputation.

The vices enter into the composition of the virtues, as poisons into that of medicines. Prudence collects and arranges them, and uses them beneficially against the ills of life.

Flattery is false money, which would not be current were it not for our vanity.

Ideas often flash across our minds more complete than we could make them after much labor.