Nothing is so wretched or foolish as to anticipate misfortunes. What madness is it to be expecting evil before it comes. For his joy at your death will be proportioned to what you leave him. A well-governed appetite is a great part of liberty. All cruelty springs from hard-heartedness and weakness.
Difficulties strengthen the mind as labor does the body.
Drunkenness is nothing else but a voluntary madness. There is as much greatness of mind in acknowledging a good turn, as in doing it. Money does all things for reward. Some are pious and honest as long as they thrive upon it, but if the devil himself gives better wages, they soon change their party. That which is given with pride and ostentation is rather an ambition than a bounty.