There is nothing so charming as the knowledge of literature; of that branch of literature, I mean, which enables us to discover the infinity of things, the immensity of Nature, the heavens, the earth, and the seas; this is that branch which has taught us religion, moderation, magnanimity, and that has rescued the soul from obscurity; to make her see all things above and below, first and last, and between both; it is this that furnishes us wherewith to live well and happily, and guides us to pass our lives without displeasure and without offence.

You might as well take the sun out of the sky as friendship from life: for the immortal gods have given us nothing better or more delightful.

To freemen, threats are impotent.

Our minds are rendered buoyant by exercise.

It is not easy to distinguish between true and false affection, unless there occur one of those crises in which, as gold is tried by fire, so a faithful friendship may be tested by danger.

Probability is the very guide of life.

Virtue and decency are so nearly related that it is difficult to separate them from each other but in our imagination.