Old age is a tyrant, who forbids, under pain of death, the pleasures of youth.

Humility is often only feigned submission which people use to render others submissive. It is a subterfuge of pride which lowers itself in order to rise.

Women's virtue is frequently nothing but a regard to their own quiet and a tenderness for their reputation.

Nature has concealed at the bottom of our minds talents and abilities of which we are not aware.

In infants, levity is a prettiness; in men a shameful defect; but in old age, a monstrous folly.

When we enlarge upon the affection our friends have for us, this is very often not so much out of a sense of gratitude as from a desire to persuade people of our own great worth, that can deserve so much kindness.

Whilst weakness and timidity keep us to our duty, virtue has often all the honor.