It takes more strength of character to withstand good fortune than bad.
It is as common for tastes to change as it is uncommon for traits of character.
The qualities we have do not make us so ridiculous as those which we affect to have. [Fr., On n'est jamais si ridicule par les qualites que l'on a que par celles que l'on affecte d'avoir.]
Moderation is an ostentatious proof of our strength of character.
It is only persons of firmness that can have real gentleness. Those who appear gentle are, in general, only a weak character, which easily changes into asperity.
Weakness of character is the only defect which cannot be amended.
Our enemies' opinion of us comes closer to the truth than our own.
