Customary use of artifice is the sign of a small mind, and it almost always happens that he who uses it to cover one spot uncovers himself in another.

Our own distrust gives a fair pretence for the knavery of other people.

If we never flattered ourselves we should have but scant pleasure.

We are so used to dissembling with others that in time we come to deceive and dissemble with ourselves.

Our probity is not less at the mercy of fortune than our property.

Sometimes there are accidents in our lives the skillful extrication from which demands a little folly.

There are persons whose only merit consists in saying and doing stupid things at the right time, and who ruin all if they change their manners.