Nothing is more contagious than example, and no man does any exceeding good or exceeding ill but it spawns new deeds of the same kind. The good we imitate through emulation, the ill through the malignity of our nature, which shame keeps locked up, but example sets free.

The strongest symptom of wisdom in man is his being sensible of his own follies.

All the passions make us commit faults; love makes us commit the most ridiculous ones.

Fortunate persons hardly ever amend their ways: they always imagine that they are in the right when fortune upholds their bad conduct.

There is such a thing as a general revolution which changes the taste of men as it changes the fortunes of the world.

Some disguised deceits counterfeit truth so perfectly that not to be taken in by them would be an error of judgment.

There are few people who would not be ashamed of being loved when they love no longer.