What often prevents our abandoning ourselves to a single vice is, our having more than one.

To know how to hide one's ability is great skill.

I always say to myself, what is the most important thing we can think about at this extraordinary moment.

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

The generality of friends puts us out of conceit with friendship; just as the generality of religious people puts us out of conceit with religion.

Absence cools moderate passions, and inflames violent ones; just as the wind blows out candles, but kindles fires.

In growing old, we become more foolish - and more wise.