We do not praise others, ordinarily, but in order to be praised ourselves.

Passion often makes a fool of the cleverest man and often makes the most foolish men clever

Fortune and humor govern the world.

Pride indemnifies itself and loses nothing even when it casts away vanity.

It is with true love as it is with ghosts; everyone talks about it, but few have seen it.

It appears that nature has hid at the bottom of our hearts talents and abilities unknown to us. It is only the passions that have the power of bringing them to light, and sometimes give us views more true and more perfect than art could possibly do.

Some weak people are so sensible of their weakness as to be able to make a good use of it.