God has laid upon us many severe trials in this world, but He has created labour for us, and all is compensated. Thanks to labour, the bitterest tears are dried; a serious consoler, it always promises less than it bestows; a pleasure unparalleled, it is still the salt of other pleasures. Everything abandons you -- gaiety, wit, love -- labour alone is always present.
Women have the genius of charity. A man gives but his gold; a woman adds to it her sympathy.
If he could only see how small a vacancy his death would leave, the proud man would think less of the place he occupies in his lifetime.
