I don’t know how to defend myself: surprised innocence cannot imagine being under suspicion.
These flattering mirrors reflect imperfectly what is within; the countenance is often a gay deceiver. What defects of mind lie hidden under its beauty! What fair exteriors conceal base souls!
Ambition becomes displeasing when it is once satiated; there is a reaction; and as our spirit, till our last sigh, is always aiming toward some object, it falls back on itself, having nothing else on which to rest; and having reached the summit, it longs to descend.
Heaven often regulates effects by their causes, and pays the wicked what they have deserved.
Every brave man is a man of his word; to such base vices he cannot stoop, and shuns more than death the shame of lying.
The man who pardons easily courts injury.
He on whom heaven confers a sceptre knows not the weight till he bears it.
Time is a great manager: it arranges things well.
Patience and time conquer all things.
Among wellborn spirits courage does not depend on age.
Obedience is a hard profession.
Doubt, but still hate!
One half of my life has put the other half in the grave.
If anyone wants to know what elephants are like, they are like people only more so.
Generosity is the accompaniment of high birth; pity and gratitude are its attendants.
Those who resolve to conquer or die, are rarely conquered.
When a woman has the gift of silence she possesses a quality above the vulgar. It is a gift of Heaven seldom bestowed; without a little miracle it cannot be accomplished; and Nature suffers violence when Heaven puts a woman in the humor of observing silence.
And the combat ceased, for want of combatants.
Danger breeds best on too much confidence.
Whoever can do as he pleases, commands when he entreats.
All great virtues become great men.