Riches do not consist in the possession of treasures, but in the use made of them.

If we could read the past histories of all our enemies we would disregard all hostility for them.

I cannot believe there is a god who punishes and rewards, for I see honest folk unlucky, and rogues unlucky.

Strangers are just friends waiting to happen. To become a good man, one must have faithful friends, or outright enemies.

When I was happy I thought I knew men, but it was fated that I should know them in misfortune only.

One must change one's tactics every ten years if one wishes to maintain one's superiority.

Suicide is a crime the most revolting to the feelings; nor does any reason suggest itself to our understanding by which it can be justified. It certainly originates in that species of fear which we denominate poltroonery. For what claim can that man have to courage who trembles at the frowns of fortunes? True heroism consists in being superior to the ills of life in whatever shape they may challenge him to combat.