A position of eminence makes a great person greater and a small person less.

This great misfortune, to be incapable of solitude.

A man reveals his character even in the simplest things he does.

The events we most desire do not happen; or, if they do, it is neither in the time nor in the circumstances when they would have given us extreme pleasure.

Both as to high and low indifferently, men are prepossessed, charmed, fascinated by success; successful crimes are praised very much like virtue itself, and good fortune is not far from occupying the place of the whole cycle of virtues. It must be an atrocious act, a base and hateful deed, which success would not be able to justify.

Life at court does not satisfy a man, but it keeps him from being satisfied with anything else.

Such a great misfortune, not to be able to be alone.