Our actions seem to have their lucky and unlucky stars, to which a great part of that blame and that commendation is due which is given to the actions themselves.

It is a great act of cleverness to be able to conceal one's being clever.

Folly pursues us at all periods of our lives. If someone seems wise it is only because his follies are proportionate to his age and fortune.

Whatever discoveries we may have made in the regions of self-love, there still remain many unknown lands.

A small degree of wit, accompanied by good sense, is less tiresome in the long run than a great amount of wit without it.

Every one speaks well of his own heart, but no one dares speak well of his own mind.

The mark of extraordinary merit is to see those most envious of it constrained to praise.