The reason we do not let our friends see the very bottom of our hearts is not so much distrust of them as distrust of ourselves.

Silence is the best security to the man who distrusts himself.

In love deceit nearly always goes further than mistrust.

There is no accident so unfortunate but wise men will make some advantage of it, nor any so entirely fortunate but fools may turn it to their own prejudice.

The violence done us by others is often less painful than that which we do to ourselves.

Sincerity is a certain openness of heart. It is to be found in very few, and what we commonly look upon to be so is only a cunningsort of dissimulation, to insinuate ourselves into the confidence of others.

Love, like fire, cannot subsist without constant impulse; it ceases to live from the moment it ceases to hope or to fear.