The most violent passions sometimes leave us at rest, but vanity agitates us constantly.

Were we faultless, we would not derive such satisfaction from remarking the faults of others.

There are very few things impossible in themselves; and we do not want means to conquer difficulties so much as application and resolution in the use of means.

The daily employment of cunning marks a little mind, it generally happens that those who resort to it in one respect to protect themselves lay themselves open to attack in another.

We say little, when vanity does not make us speak.

Envy is more irreconcilable than hatred.

Politeness is a desire to be treated politely, and to be esteemed polite oneself.