I believe, indeed, that it is more laudable to suffer great misfortunes than to do great things.

Gaiety is the soul's health; sadness is its poison.

Politeness has been defined to be artificial good-nature; but we may affirm, with much greater propriety, that good-nature is natural politeness.

I know no real worth but that tranquil firmness which seeks dangers by duty, and braves them without rashness.

To make good use of life, one should have in youth the experience of advanced years, and in old age the vigor of youth.

It is hardly possible to suspect another without having in one's self the seeds of baseness the party is accused of.

The earliest desire of succeeding is almost always a prognostic of success.