In all aspects of life, we take on a part and an appearance to seem to be what we wish to be--and thus the world is merely composed of actors.

True eloquence consists in saying all that should be said, and that only.

Most people know no other way of judging men's worth but by the vogue they are in, or the fortunes they have met with.

It is easy to be wise on behalf of others than to be so for ourselves.

People's personalities, like buildings, have various facades, some pleasant to view, some not.

It is more often from pride than from ignorance that we are so obstinately opposed to current opinions; we find the first places taken, and we do not want to be the last.

To know oneself is not necessarily to improve oneself