All passions exaggerate; and they are passions only because they do exaggerate.

Chance is a nickname for Providence.

The only thing that stops God from sending another flood is that the first one was useless.

Most benefactors are like unskillful generals who take the city and leave the citadel intact.

We leave unmolested those who set the fire to the house, and prosecute those who sound the alarm.

Slander is the balm of malignity.

Calumny is like the wasp which worries you, and which it is not best to try to get rid of unless you are sure of slaying it; for otherwise it returns to the charge more furious than ever.