The passions do very often give birth to others of a nature most contrary to their own. Thus avarice sometimes brings forth prodigality, and prodigality avarice; a man's resolution is very often the effect of levity, and his boldness that of cowardice and fear.

In great affairs we ought to apply ourselves less to creating chances than to profiting from those that offer.

Considering how little the beginning or the ceasing to love is in our own power, it is foolish and unreasonable for the lover or his mistress to complain of one another's inconstancy.

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

Self-interest makes some people blind, and others sharp-sighted.

We should often feel ashamed of our best actions if the world could see all the motives which produced them.

The most effectual way to be deceived is to believe oneself more cunning than one's neighbors.