While selfishness joins hands with no one of the virtues, benevolence is allied to them all.

I have known a German Prince with more titles than subjects, and a Spanish nobleman with more names than shirts.

If the soul be happily disposed, every thing becomes capable of affording entertainment, and distress will almost want a name.

Wealth accumulates, and men decay.

The soul may be compared to a field of battle, where the armies are ready every moment to encounter. Not a single vice but has a more powerful opponent, and not one virtue but may be overborne by a combination of vices.

Hope is such a bait, it covers any hook.

There is nothing magnanimous in bearing misfortunes with fortitude, when the whole world is looking on.... He who, without friends to encourage or even without hope to alleviate his misfortunes, can behave with tranquility and indifference, is truly great.