We often select envenomed praise which, by a reaction upon those we praise, shows faults we could not have shown by other means.

Instead of considering that the worst way to persuade or please others is to try thus strongly to please ourselves, and that to listen well and to answer well are some of the greatest charms we can have in conversation.

Whatever ignominy or disgrace we have incurred, it is almost always in our power to reestablish our reputation.

Sometimes there are accidents in our lives the skillful extrication from which demands a little folly.

Our minds are lazier than our bodies.

Of all our faults, the one that we excuse most easily is idleness.

A certain harmony should be kept between actions and ideas if we want to fully develop the effects they can produce.