Nature creates ability; luck provides it with opportunity.

It is far better to be deceived than undeceived by those whom we tenderly love.

We come altogether fresh and raw into the several stages of life, and often find ourselves without experience, despite our years.

It is more often from pride than from ignorance that we are so obstinately opposed to current opinions; we find the first places taken, and we do not want to be the last.

In the presence of some people we inevitably depart From ourselves: we are inaccurate, we say things we do not feel, And talk nonsense. When we get home we are conscious that we Have made fools of ourselves. Never go near these people.

Nothing is so contagious as example; never was there any considerable good or ill done that does not produce its like. We imitate good actions through emulation, and had ones through a malignity in our nature, which shame conceals, and example sets at liberty.

Great men's honor ought always to be measured by the methods they made use of in attaining it.