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

A wise man thinks it more advantageous not to join the battle than to win.

It is easier to deceive yourself, and to do so unperceived, than to deceive another.

There are few occasions when we should make a bad bargain by giving up the good on condition that no ill was said of us.

We often persuade ourselves to love people who are more powerful than we are, yet interest alone produces our friendship; we do not give our hearts away for the good we wish to do, but for that we expect to receive.

Some disguised deceits counterfeit truth so perfectly that not to be taken in by them would be an error of judgment.

We think very few people sensible, except those who are of our opinion.