Poverty has, in large cities, very different appearances; it is often concealed in splendour, and often in extravagance.

Every man has something to do which he neglects, every man has faults to conquer which he delays to combat.

There is, indeed, nothing that so much seduces reason from vigilance, as the thought of passing life with an amiable woman.

Every man is of importance to himself, and, therefore, in his own opinion, to others; and, supposing the world already acquainted with his pleasures and his pains, is perhaps the first to publish injuries or misfortunes which had never been known unless related by himself, and at which those that hear them will only laugh, for no man sympathises with the sorrows of vanity.

That all who are happy are equally happy is not true. A peasant and a philosopher may be equally satisfied, but not equally happy. A small drinking glass and a large one may be equally full, but the large one holds more than the small.

A man used to vicissitudes is not easily dejected.

Friendship may well deserve the sacrifice of pleasure, though not of conscience.