No one can long hide behind a mask; the pretense soon lapses into the true character.

Prudence will punish to prevent crime, not to avenge it.

There is as much greatness of mind in the owning of a good turn as in the doing of it; and we must no more force a requital out of season than be wanting in it.

If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favourable.

Do you desire not to be angry? Be not inquisitive. He who inquires what is said of him only works out his own misery.

True friends are the whole world to one another; and he that is a friend to himself is also a friend to mankind. Even in my studies the greatest delight I take is of imparting it to others; for there is no relish to me in the possessing of anything without a partner.

A great mind becomes a great fortune.