The fondness or indifference that the philosophers expressed for life was merely a preference inspired by their self-love, and will no more bear reasoning upon than the relish of the palate or the choice of colors.

The passions of youth are not more dangerous to health than is the lukewarmness of old age.

We should wish for few things with eagerness, if we perfectly knew the nature of that which was the object of our desire.

You are never so easily fooled as when trying to fool someone else.

To establish ourselves in the world, we have to do all we can to appear established. To succeed in the world, we do everything we can to appear successful.

What we take for high-mindedness is very often no other than ambition well disguised, that scorns means interests, only to pursuegreater.

All men are equally proud. The only difference is that not all take the same methods of showing it.