We are never either so fortunate or so misfortunate as we imagine.

There is such a thing as a general revolution which changes the taste of men as it changes the fortunes of the world.

Silence is the safest course for any man to adopt who distrust himself.

He who imagines he can do without the world deceives himself much; but he who fancies the world cannot do without him is still more mistaken.

As uncommon a thing as true love is, it is yet easier to find than true friendship.

We do not like to praise, and seldom praise anyone without self-interest.

The desire of talking of ourselves, and showing those faults we do not mind having seen, makes up a good part of our sincerity.