Nothing is so capable of overturning a good intention as to show a distrust of it; to be suspected for an enemy, is often sufficient to make a person become one.

Nothing is more certain of destroying any good feeling that may be cherished towards us than to show distrust. To be suspected as an enemy is often enough to make a man become so; the whole matter is over, there is no farther use of guarding against it. On the contrary, confidence leads us naturally to act kindly, we are affected by the good opinion which others entertain of us, and we are not easily induced to lose it.

Reason bears disgrace, courage combats it, patience surmounts it.

. . . it seldom happens, I think, that a man has the civility to die when all the world wishes it.

There is no real evil in life, except great pain; all the rest is imaginary, and depends on the light in which we view things

I dislike clocks with second-hands; they cut up life into too small pieces.

there are some people who never acknowledge themselves in the wrong; God help them!