The most absurd and reckless aspirations have sometimes led to extraordinary success.

Men dissimulate their dearest, most constant, and most virtuous inclination from weakness and a fear of being condemned.

It is a great sign of mediocrity to praise always moderately.

Activity makes more men's fortunes than cautiousness.

The falsest of all philosophies is that which, under the pretext of delivering men from the embarrassment of their passions, counsels idleness and the abandonment and neglect of themselves.

One promises much, to avoid giving little.

Our opinion of others is not so variable as our opinion of ourselves.