Though men are apt to flatter and exalt themselves with their great achievements, yet these are, in truth, very often owing not so much to design as chance.

We are never so ridiculous through what we are as through what we pretend to be.

Extreme boredom provides its own antidote.

We only confess our little faults to persuade people that we have no big ones.

The common foible of women who have been handsome is to forget that they are no longer so.

Perfect behavior is born of complete indifference.

Nothing ought in reason to mortify our self-satisfaction more that the considering that we condemn at one time what we highly approve and commend at another.