If we did not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others could never harm us.

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

The greatest part of intimate confidences proceed from a desire either to be pitied or admired.

Why can we remember the tiniest detail that has happened to us, and not remember how many times we have told it to the same person.

Narrowness of mind is often the cause of obstinacy; we do not easily believe beyond what we see.

There are no accidents so unlucky from which clever people are not able to reap some advantage, and none so lucky that the foolish are not able to turn them to their own disadvantage.

Men never desire anything very eagerly which they desire only by the dictates of reason.