Extremes are vicious, and proceed from men; compensation is just, and proceeds from God.

A mediocre mind thinks it writes divinely; a good mind thinks it writes reasonably.

That man is good who does good to others; if he suffers on account of the good he does, he is very good; if he suffers at the hands of those to whom he has done good, then his goodness is so great that it could be enhanced only by greater sufferings; and if he should die at their hands, his virtue can go no further: it is heroic, it is perfect.

If some persons died, and others did not die, death would be a terrible affliction.

The reason that women do not love one another is - men.

Great things astonish us, and small dishearten us. Custom makes both familiar.

Cunning is none of the best nor worst qualities; it floats between virtue and vice; there is scarce any exigence where it may not, and perhaps ought not to be supplied by prudence.