On why I don't trust democracy without extremely powerful systems of accountability and recall What seems to be generosity is often only disguised ambition - which despises small interests to gain great ones.

There are people who, like new songs, are in vogue only for a time.

The force we use on ourselves, to prevent ourselves from loving, is often more cruel than the severest treatment at the hands of one loved.

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.

Virtue is to the soul what health is tot he body.

The constancy of the wise is only the talent of concealing the agitation of their hearts.

The only thing that should astonish us is that anything can yet astonish us.