Vauvenargues

Vice stirs up war virtue fights.

If virtue were its own reward it would no longer be a human quality but supernatural.

Great thoughts come from the heart.

Simple truths are a relief from grand speculations.

When an idea is too weak to support a simple statement it is a sign that it should be rejected.

Prosperity makes some friends and many enemies.

The greatest achievement of the human spirit is to live up to one's opportunities and make the most of one's resources.

Great men undertake great things because they are great fools because they think them easy.

When we are sick our virtues and our vices are in abeyance.

All men are born truthful and die liars.

The lazy are always wanting to do something.

No one is more liable to make mistakes than the man who acts only on reflection.

Great thoughts always come from the heart.

Patience is the art of hoping.

We should expect the best and the worst from mankind as from the weather.

Generosity gives assistance rather than advice.

Servitude debases men to the point where they end up liking it.

The mind reaches great heights only by spurts.