Men would not live in society long if they were not each others dupes.

There are no events so disastrous that adroit men do not draw some advantage from them, nor any so fortunate that the imprudent cannot turn to their own prejudice.

There are reproaches which praise, and praises which defame.

For the credit of virtue we must admit that the greatest misfortunes of men are those into which they fall through their crimes.

Things often offer themselves to our mind in a more finished form in the very first thought, than we might have made them by muchart and study.

We confess to little faults only to persuade ourselves we have no great ones.

Considering how little the beginning or the ceasing to love is in our own power, it is foolish and unreasonable for the lover or his mistress to complain of one another's inconstancy.