Most men, like plants, possess hidden qualities which chance discovers.
The applause we give those who are new to society often proceeds from a secret envying of those already established.
We should only affect compassion, and carefully avoid having any.
No men are oftener wrong than those that can least bear to be so.
We are very far from always knowing our own wishes.
Perfect valour consists in doing without witnesses that which we would be capable of doing before everyone.