Our virtues are often, in reality, no better than vices disguised.

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

We should not be upset that others hide the truth from us, when we hide it so often from ourselves.

As it is the characteristic of great wits to say much in few words, so small wits seem to have the gift of speaking much and saying nothing.

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

Often we are firm from weakness, and audacious from timidity.

The desire of talking of ourselves, and showing those faults we do not mind having seen, makes up a good part of our sincerity.