Neither love nor fire can subsist without perpetual motion; both cease to live so soon as they cease to hope, or to fear.

However glorious an action in itself, it ought not to pass for great if it be not the effect of wisdom and intention.

Vices are ingredients of virtues just as poisons are ingredients of remedies. Prudence mixes and tempers them and uses them effectively against life's ills.

The confidence which we have in ourselves give birth to much of that, which we have in others.

A lofty mind always thinks nobly, it easily creates vivid, agreeable, and natural fancies, places them in their best light, clothes them with all appropriate adornments, studies others' tastes, and clears away from its own thoughts all that is useless and disagreeable.

In the intercourse of life, we please more by our faults than by our good qualities.

Everyone complains of his memory, and nobody complains of his judgment.