We exaggerate the glory of some men in order to detract from that of others.

It is worth nothing to be young without being beautiful, nor to be beautiful without being young.

Pity is a sense of our own misfortunes in those of another man; it is a sort of foresight of the disasters which may befall ourselves. We assist others,, in order that they may assist us on like occasions; so that the services we offer to the unfortunate are in reality so many anticipated kindnesses to ourselves.

Very few people are acquainted with death. They undergo it, commonly, not so much out of resolution as custom and insensitivity; and most men die because they cannot help it.

The evil that we do does not attract to us so much persecution and hatred as our good qualities.

Nothing is more ridiculous in old people that were once good-looking, than to forget that they are not so still.

We cannot possibly imagine the variety of contradictions in every heart.