Confidence in conversation has a greater share than wit.

The contempt of riches in philosophers was only a hidden desire to avenge their merit upon the injustice of fortune, by despising the very goods of which fortune had deprived them; it was a secret to guard themselves against the degradation of poverty, it was a back way by which to arrive at that distinction which they could not gain by riches.

We often do shallow good in order to accomplish evil with impunity.

When our hatred is too alive puts us below what we hate.

The desire of talking of ourselves, and showing those faults we do not mind having seen, makes up a good part of our sincerity.

Nature has concealed at the bottom of our minds talents and abilities of which we are not aware.

It is no tragedy to do ungrateful people favors, but it is unbearable to be indebted to a scoundrel.