We give advice, but we cannot give the wisdom to profit by it.

There are no events so disastrous that adroit men do not draw some advantage from them, nor any so fortunate that the imprudent cannot turn to their own prejudice.

It is easier to understand mankind in general than any individual man.

Penetration has an air of divination; it pleases our vanity more than any other quality of the mind.

Folly pursues us at all periods of our lives. If someone seems wise it is only because his follies are proportionate to his age and fortune.

Friendship is a traffic wherein self-love always proposes to be the gainer.

We would frequently be ashamed of our good deeds if people saw all of the motives that produced them.