It is not always from valor or from chastity that men are brave, and women chaste.

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

Men and things have each their proper perspective; to judge rightly of some it is necessary to see them near, of others we can never judge rightly but at a distance.

The virtues and vices are all put in motion by interest.

What we take for high-mindedness is very often no other than ambition well disguised, that scorns means interests, only to pursuegreater.

Taste may change, but inclination never.

The breeding we give young people is ordinarily but an additional self-love, by which we make them have a better opinion of themselves.