The passions of youth are scarcely more opposed to salvation than the lukewarmness of old persons.
There is not enough material in a fool to make a good man out of him.
We have more strength than will, and it is often to excuse ourselves to ourselves that we imagine things are impossible.
There are few things impossible in themselves; it is the application to achieve them that we lack more than the means.
It is a mistake to imagine that only the more violent passions, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. Idleness often masters them all. It indeed influences all our designs and actions, and insensibly destroys both our vices and our virtues.
Idleness is of all our passions that which is most unknown to ourselves. It is the most ardent and the most malign of all, though we do not feel its working, and the harm which it does is hidden. If we consider its power attentively, we shall see that in every struggle it triumphs over our feelings, our interests, and our pleasures. To give a true idea of this passion it is necessary to add that idleness is like a beatitude of the soul which consoles it for all its losses and serves in place of all its wealth.
The gratitude of most men is only a secret desire to receive greater favours.
We like better to see those on whom we confer benefits than those from whom we receive them.
It is less dangerous to do harm to most men than to do them too much good.
If we had no defects ourselves we should not take so much pleasure in observing the failings of others.