There are certain people fated to be fools; they not only commit follies by choice, but are even constrained to do so by fortune.

No matter how much care we put into hiding our passions under the appearances of devotion and honor, they can always be seen to peer out through these covers.

Our self-love can less bear to have our tastes than our opinions condemned.

We exaggerate the glory of some men in order to detract from that of others.

One may outwit another, but not all the others.

It is as commendable to think well of oneself when alone, as it is ridiculous to speak well of oneself among others.

It is given to few persons to keep this secret well. Those who lay down rules too often break them, and the safest we are able to give is to listen much, to speak little, and to say nothing that that will ever give ground or regret.