Human foresight often leaves its proudest possessor only a choice of evils.

There are two way of establishing a reputation, one to be praised by honest people and the other to be accused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the first one, because it will always be accompanied by the latter.

The intoxication of anger, like that of the grape, shows us to others, but hides us from ourselves.

In great cities men are more callous both to the happiness and the misery of others, than in the country; for they are constantly in the habit of seeing both extremes.

Never join with your friend when he abuses his horse or his wife, unless the one is about to be sold, the other to be buried.

The excesses of our youth are drafts upon our old age.

There are three kinds of praise, that which we yield, that which we lend, and that which we pay. We yield it to the powerful from fear, we lend it to the weak from interest, and we pay it to the deserving from gratitude.