Happiness does not consist in things themselves but in the relish we have of them.

The only good imitations are those that poke fun at bad originals.

Passion makes idiots of the cleverest men, and makes the biggest idiots clever.

High fortune makes both our virtues and vices stand out as objects that are brought clearly to view by the light.

In friendship as well as love, ignorance very often contributes more to our happiness than knowledge.

Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue.

Were we faultless, we would not derive such satisfaction from remarking the faults of others.