The public weal requires that men should betray, and lie, and massacre.

I have gathered a posy of other men’s flowers and only the thread that bonds them is my own.

There is no virtue which does not rejoice a well-descended nature; there is a kind of I know not what congratulation in well-doing, that gives us an inward satisfaction, and a certain generous boldness that accompanies a good conscience.

No wonder, said an Ancient, that chance has so much power over us, since it is by chance that we live.

The most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness.

There is no more expensive thing than a free gift.

It is not necessity but abundance which produces greed.