A man often believes himself leader when he is led; as his mind endeavors to reach one goal, his heart insensibly drags him towards another.

The violence done us by others is often less painful than that which we do to ourselves.

Great souls are not those who have fewer passions and more virtues than others, but only those who have greater designs.

There are follies as catching as contagious disorders.

We are so used to dissembling with others that in time we come to deceive and dissemble with ourselves.

To praise princes for virtues they do not possess is to insult them without fear of consequences.

We are inconsolable at being deceived by our enemies and being betrayed by our friends, yet we are often content in be being treated like that by our own selves.