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.

There are few occasions when we should make a bad bargain by giving up the good on condition that no ill was said of us.

No man deserves to be praised for his goodness, who has it not in his power to be wicked. Goodness without that power is generally nothing more than sloth, or an impotence of will.

The height of ability consists in a thorough knowledge of the real value of things, and of the genius of the age in which we live.

There are few people more convinced of their own genius than those who complain of how stupid they are.

No fools are so difficult to manage as those with some brains.

Self-love is more cunning than the most cunning man in the world.