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

We frequently do good in order to enable us to do evil later with impunity exemption of punishment.

Youth changes its tastes by the warmth of its blood; age retains its tastes by habit.

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.

Pity is often a reflection of our own evils in the ills of others. It is a delicate foresight of the troubles into which we may fall.

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

The passions do very often give birth to others of a nature most contrary to their own. Thus avarice sometimes brings forth prodigality, and prodigality avarice; a man's resolution is very often the effect of levity, and his boldness that of cowardice and fear.