Kings do with men as with pieces of money; they give them what value they please, and we are obliged to receive them at their current and not at their real value.

The grace of novelty and the length of habit, though so very opposite to one another, yet agree in this, that they both alike keepus from discovering the faults of our friends.

Nothing prevents one from appearing natural as the desire to appear natural.

It is sometimes necessary to play the fool to avoid being deceived by cunning men.

No fools are so difficult to manage as those with some brains.

Whatever ignominy or disgrace we have incurred, it is almost always in our power to reestablish our reputation.

If vanity does not entirely overthrow the virtues, at least it makes them all totter.