There are a great many men valued in society who have nothing to recommend them but serviceable vices.

When the philosophers despised riches, it was because they had a mind to vindicate their own merit, and take revenge upon the injustice of fortune by vilifying those enjoyments which she had not given them.

There are no accidents so unlucky from which clever people are not able to reap some advantage, and none so lucky that the foolish are not able to turn them to their own disadvantage.

In their early passions women are in love with the lover, later they are in love with love.

As we grow older, we increase in folly--and in wisdom.

Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers.

What makes us so bitter against people who outwit us is that they think themselves cleverer than we are.