Men crowd into honorable careers without other vocation than their vanity, or at best their love of fame.

Reason and emotion counsel and supplement each other. Whoever heeds only the one, and puts aside the other, recklessly deprives himself of a portion of the aid granted us for the regulation of our conduct.

Some authors regard morality in the same light as we regard modern architecture. Convenience is the first thing to be looked for.

If people did not compliment one another there would be little society.

Action makes more fortune than caution.

If passion sometimes counsels greater boldness than does reflection, it gives more strength to execute it.

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