Friendship is only a reciprocal conciliation of interests, and an exchange of good offices; it is a species of commerce out of which self-love always expects to gain something.

We rarely ever perceive others as being sensible, except for those who agree with us.

Moderation in people who are contented comes from that calm that good fortune lends to their spirit.

The reason we do not let our friends see the very bottom of our hearts is not so much distrust of them as distrust of ourselves.

We are deceived if we think that mind and judgment are two different matters: judgment is but the extent of the light of the mind. This light penetrates to the bottom of matters; it remarks all that can be remarked, and perceives what appears imperceptible. Therefore we must agree that it is the extent of the light in the mind that produces all the effects which we attribute to judgment.

The greatest fault of a penetrating wit is to go beyond the mark.

There is a kind of elevation which does not depend on fortune; it is a certain air which distinguishes us, and seems to destine us for great things; it is a price which we imperceptibly set upon ourselves.