Men are often so foolish as to boast and value themselves upon their passions, even those that are most vicious. But envy is a passion so full of cowardice and shame that no one every ever had the confidence to own it.

The truest mark of being born with great qualities is to be born without envy.

The virtues and vices are all put in motion by interest.

One man may be more cunning than another, but no one can be more cunning than all the world.

Those great and glorious actions that dazzle our eyes with their luster are represented by statesmen as the result of great wisdomand excellent design; whereas, in truth, they are commonly the effects of the humors and passions.

There is only one kind of love, but there are a thousand imitations.

The constancy of the wise is only the talent of concealing the agitation of their hearts.