The applause we give those who are new to society often proceeds from a secret envying of those already established.

Gratitude, in most men, is only a strong and secret hope of greater favors.

Generally speaking, we would make a good bargain by renouncing all the good that people say of us, upon condition they would say no ill.

We should desire very few things passionately if we did but perfectly know the nature of the things we desire.

Ridicule dishonors a man more than dishonor does.

There are a great many simpletons who know themselves to be so, and who make a very cunning use of their own simplicity.

How can we expect another to keep our secret if we have been unable to keep it ourselves?