To judge of the real importance of the individual, we should think of the effect his death would produce.
Francis de Gaston, Chevalier de LevisHuman nature is so weak that the honest men who have no religion make me fret with their perilous virtue, as rope-dancers with their dangerous equilibrium.
Francis de Gaston, Chevalier de LevisIt is because gold is rare that gilding has been invented, which, without having its solidity, has all its brilliancy. Thus, to replace the kindness we lack, we have devised politeness which has all its appearance.
Francis de Gaston, Chevalier de Levis