Funeral pomp is more for the vanity of the living than for the honor of the dead.

There are few people who are more often in the wrong than those who cannot endure to be so.

Sincerity is a certain openness of heart. It is to be found in very few, and what we commonly look upon to be so is only a cunningsort of dissimulation, to insinuate ourselves into the confidence of others.

The passions do very often give birth to others of a nature most contrary to their own. Thus avarice sometimes brings forth prodigality, and prodigality avarice; a man's resolution is very often the effect of levity, and his boldness that of cowardice and fear.

Women can more easily conquer their passion than their coquetterie.

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

Esteem never makes ingrates.