One can no more look steadily at death than at the sun.

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

To establish ourselves in the world, we have to do all we can to appear established. To succeed in the world, we do everything we can to appear successful.

There are but very few men clever enough to know all the mischief they do.

Moderation is an ostentatious proof of our strength of character.

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

When fortune surprises us by giving us some great office without having gradually led us to expect it, or without having raised our hopes, it is well nigh impossible to occupy it well, and to appear worthy to fill it.