They that apply themselves to trifling matters commonly become incapable of great ones.

In love the deceit generally outstrips the distrust.

Friendship is only a reciprocal conciliation of interests, and an exchange of good offices; it is a species of commerce out of which self-love always expects to gain something.

Nothing prevents one from appearing natural as the desire to appear natural.

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.

A wise man thinks it more advantageous not to join the battle than to win.

Happy people rarely correct their faults; they consider themselves vindicated, since fortune endorses their evil ways.