The art of putting into play mediocre qualities often begets more reputation than is achieved by true merit.

We often shed tears that deceive ourselves after deceiving others.

For most men the love of justice is only the fear of suffering injustice.

Perfect valour consists in doing without witnesses that which we would be capable of doing before everyone.

As one grows older, one becomes wiser and more foolish.

Silence is the best security to the man who distrusts himself.

No men are oftener wrong than those that can least bear to be so.