To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

The truth is ugly: we have art so as not to perish from the truth.

We have art in order not to die of the truth.

We have to make the choice-every single day-to exemplify the truth, the respect, and the grace that we wish for this world.

Very often, all the activity of the human mind is directed not in revealing the truth, but in hiding the truth.

I dwell on this prospect with every satisfaction which an ardent love for my Country can inspire: since there is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness, between duty and advantage, between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy, and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity: Since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven.