(75.) It rarely happens that a man can say he is ambitious, for if he has been so once, he remains so; but there comes a time when he admits he has been in love.
(76.) Men begin with love and end with ambition, and are seldom free from passion till they die.
(77.) Nothing is easier for passion than to overcome reason, but the greatest triumph is to conquer a manʼs own interests.
(78.) A man who is swayed by his feelings is more sociable and agreeable to converse with than one who is swayed by his intelligence.
(79.) There are certain sublime sentiments, certain noble and lofty actions, for which we are indebted rather to the kindness of our disposition than to the strength of our mind.
(80.) There is no excess in the world so commendable as excessive gratitude.
(81.) A man must be completely wanting in intelligence if he does not show it when actuated by love, malice, or necessity.
(82.) There are certain spots which we admire, others which we love, and where we long to pass our days.
It seems that our mind, our temper, passions, taste and feelings, are influenced by the places where we dwell.[199]
(83.) Benevolent persons should be the only ones to be envied, if there were not a better course open to us, which is, to excel them; thus we can avenge ourselves pleasantly on those whom we dislike.