No man deserves to be praised for his goodness, who has it not in his power to be wicked. Goodness without that power is generally nothing more than sloth, or an impotence of will.

It requires greater virtues to support good fortune than bad.

Few people have the wisdom to prefer the criticism that would do them good, to the praise that deceives them.

We all have enough strength to endure the misfortunes of others.

It is given to few persons to keep this secret well. Those who lay down rules too often break them, and the safest we are able to give is to listen much, to speak little, and to say nothing that that will ever give ground or regret.

Virtue would go far if vanity did not keep it company.

Those only are despicable who fear to be despised.