It is a mistake to imagine, ...

It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions only, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. Idleness, languid as it is, often masters them all; she influences all our designs and actions, and insensibly consumes and destroys both passions and virtues.
It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions only, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. Idleness, languid as it is, often masters them all; she influences all our designs and actions, and insensibly consumes and destroys both passions and virtues.

Quotes from the same author

A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care of all to acquire.
In friendship as well as love, ignorance very often contributes more to our happiness than knowledge.
A true friend is the most precious of all possessions and the one we take the least thought about acquiring.
He is a truly virtuous man who wishes always to be open to the observation of honest men.
There are no events so disastrous that adroit men do not draw some advantage from them, nor any so fortunate that the imprudent cannot turn to their own prejudice.