In the human heart there is a ceaseless birth of passions, so that the destruction of one is almost always the establishment of another.

He who refuses praise the first time that it is offered does so because he would hear it a second time.

Those who are themselves incapable of great crimes are ever backward to suspect others.

Our aversion to lying is commonly a secret ambition to make what we say considerable, and have every word received with a religious respect.

When the philosophers despised riches, it was because they had a mind to vindicate their own merit, and take revenge upon the injustice of fortune by vilifying those enjoyments which she had not given them.

There are a great many simpletons who know themselves to be so, and who make a very cunning use of their own simplicity.

Some people resemble ballads which are only sung for a certain time.