Gratitude is a lively sense of benefits to come.

For most men the love of justice is only the fear of suffering injustice.

Everyone agrees that a secret should be kept intact, but everyone does not agree as to the nature and importance of secrecy. Too often we consult ourselves as to what we should say, what we should leave unsaid. There are few permanent secrets, and the scruple against revealing them will not last forever.

Kings do with men as with pieces of money; they give them what value they please, and we are obliged to receive them at their current and not at their real value.

Weakness of character is the only defect which cannot be amended.

How can we be answerable for what we shall want in the future, since we have no clear idea of what we want now?

Confidence in conversation has a greater share than wit.