Some follies are caught, like contagious diseases.

Nothing hinders a thing from being natural so much as the straining ourselves to make it seem so.

Only strong natures can really be sweet ones; those that seem sweet are in general only weak, and may easily turn sour.

Our aversion to lying is commonly a secret ambition to make what we say considerable, and have every word received with a religious respect.

Humility is often only feigned submission which people use to render others submissive. It is a subterfuge of pride which lowers itself in order to rise.

Prudence and love are inconsistent; in proportion as the last increases, the other decreases.

We often shed tears that deceive ourselves after deceiving others.