There is nothing that fear and hope does not permit men to do.

The falsest of all philosophies is that which, under the pretext of delivering men from the embarrassment of their passions, counsels idleness and the abandonment and neglect of themselves.

We must expect everything and fear everything from time and from men.

If virtue were its own reward, it would no longer be a human quality, but supernatural.

Despair exaggerates not only our misery but also our weakness.

Whatever affection we have for our friends or relations, the happiness of others never suffices for our own.

It is difficult to esteem a man as highly as he would wish.