As we grow older, we increase in folly--and in wisdom.

Happiness does not consist in things themselves but in the relish we have of them; and a man has attained it when he enjoys what he loves and desires himself, and not what other people think lovely and desirable.

Jealousy lives upon doubts. It becomes madness or ceases entirely as soon as we pass from doubt to certainty.

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

We do not praise others, ordinarily, but in order to be praised ourselves.

What we call generosity is for the most part only the vanity of giving; and we exercise it because we are more fond of that vanity than of the thing we give.

We give nothing so freely as advice.