If we are incapable of finding peace in ourselves, it is pointless to search elsewhere.

Hope, deceiving as it is, serves at least to lead us to the end of our lives by an agreeable route.

The only thing that should astonish us is that anything can yet astonish us.

The daily employment of cunning marks a little mind, it generally happens that those who resort to it in one respect to protect themselves lay themselves open to attack in another.

A readiness to believe ill of others, before we have duly examined it, is the effect of laziness and pride. We are eager to find aculprit, and loath to give ourselves the trouble of examining the crime.

Why can we remember the tiniest detail that has happened to us, and not remember how many times we have told it to the same person.

Luxury and excessive refinement are sure forerunners of the decadence of states, because when all individuals seek their own interests they neglect the public weal.