The covetous man fares worse with his passion than the poor, and the jealous man than the cuckold.

It is very easy to accuse a government of imperfection, for all mortal things are full of it.

There is no man so good, who, were he to submit all his thoughts and actions to the laws, would not deserve hanging ten times in his life.

Life in itself is neither good nor evil; it is the scene of good or evil, as you make it.

The shortest way to arrive at glory would be to do that for conscience which we do for glory.

Glory and repose are things that cannot possibly inhabit in one and the same place.

We are never present with, but always beyond ourselves; fear, desire, hope, still push us on toward the future.

One open way of speaking introduces another open way of speaking, and draws out discoveries, like wine and love.

There is little less trouble in governing a private family than a whole kingdom.

We are more solicitous that men speak of us, than how they speak.