Men are guided less by conscience than by glory; and yet the shortest way to glory is to be guided by conscience.

Every man, however little, makes a figure in his own eyes.

Were wisdom to be sold, she would give no price; every man is satisfied with the share he has from nature.

If you should escape the censure of others, hope not to escape your own.

Genius is allied to a warm and inflammable constitution; delicacy of taste, to calmness and sedateness. Hence it is common to find genius in one who is a prey to every passion.

Custom is the great leveller. It corrects the inequality of fortune by lessening equally the pleasures of the prince and the pains of the peasant.

Emotions are raised in us, not only by the qualities and actions of others, but also by their feelings. I cannot behold a man in distress, without partaking of his pain; nor in joy, without partaking of his pleasure.