The fear of approaching death, which in youth we imagine must cause inquietude to the aged, is very seldom the source of much uneasiness.

People do not persist in their vices because they are not weary of them, but because they cannot leave them off. It is the nature of vice to leave us no resource but in itself.

Honesty is one part of eloquence. We persuade others by being in earnest ourselves.

To be remembered after we are dead, is but poor recompense for being treated with contempt while we are living.

The art of life is to know how to enjoy a little and to endure very much.

There are no rules for friendship. It must be left to itself. We cannot force it any more than love.

The slaves of power mind the cause they have to serve, because their own interest is concerned; but the friends of liberty always sacrifice their cause, which is only the cause of humanity, to their own spleen, vanity, and self-opinion.