The great interests of man: air and light, the joy of having a body, the voluptuousness of looking.

Few people have the wisdom to prefer the criticism that would do them good, to the praise that deceives them.

In all professions each affects a look and an exterior to appear what he wishes the world to believe that he is. Thus we may say that the whole world is made up of appearances.

We often do shallow good in order to accomplish evil with impunity.

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

We are never so generous as when giving advice.

The vices enter into the composition of the virtues, as poisons into that of medicines. Prudence collects and arranges them, and uses them beneficially against the ills of life.