The distempers of the soul have their relapses, as many and as dangerous as those of the body; and what we take for a perfect cureis generally either an abatement of the same disease or the changing of that for another.

He is safe who admits no one to his confidence.

To praise great actions with sincerity may be said to be taking part in them.

Everyone blames his memory, no one blames his judgment.

It is the prerogative of great men only to have great defects.

The violence done us by others is often less painful than that which we do to ourselves.

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.