There are few people more convinced of their own genius than those who complain of how stupid they are.

It is not always for virtue's sake that women are virtuous.

Cunning and treachery are the offspring of incapacity.

The truest comparison we can make of love is to liken it to a fever; we have no more power over the one than the other, either as to its violence or duration.

Plenty of people want to be pious, but no one yearns to be humble.

When fortune surprises us by giving us some great office without having gradually led us to expect it, or without having raised our hopes, it is well nigh impossible to occupy it well, and to appear worthy to fill it.

No matter how brilliant an action, it should not be considered great unless it was the result of a great motive.