Men are not only prone to forget benefits; they even hate those who have obliged them, and cease to hate those who have injured them. The necessity of revenging an injury, or of recompensing a benefit seems a slavery to which they are unwilling to submit.

Coquetry is the essential characteristic, and the prevalent humor of women; but they do not all practice it, because the coquetry of some is restrained by fear or by reason.

One may outwit another, but not all the others.

Those who occupy their minds with small matters, generally become incapable of greatness.

A man is perhaps ungrateful, but often less chargeable with ingratitude than his benefactor is.

Our distrust of another justifies his deceit.

Men give away nothing so liberally as their advice.