As great enmities spring from great friendships, and mortal distempers from vigorous health, so do the most surprising and the wildest frenzies from the high and lively agitations of our souls.

Unless a man feels he has a good enough memory, he should never venture to lie.

In my opinion it is the happy living, and not, as Antisthenes said, the happy lying, in which human happiness consists.

Natural inclinations are assisted and reinforced by education, but they are hardly ever altered or overcome.

I seek in the reading of books, only to please myself, by an honest diversion.

All other knowledge is hurtful to him who has not honesty and good-nature

All we do is to look after the opinions and learning of others: we ought to make them our own.