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.

Nothing prevents one from appearing natural as the desire to appear natural.

A true friend is the most precious of all possessions and the one we take the least thought about acquiring.

Love of fame, fear of disgrace, schemes for advancement, desire to make life comfortable and pleasant, and the urge to humiliate others are often at the root of the valour men hold in such high esteem.

There may be talent without position, but there is no position without some kind of talent.

We are eager to believe that others are flawed because we are eager to believe in what we wish for.

Few things are impossible in themselves: application to make them succeed fails us more often than the means.