Our wisdom is no less at fortune's mercy than our wealth.

The person giving the advice returns the confidence placed in him with a disinterested eagerness... and he is usually guided only by his own interest or reputation.

Things often offer themselves to our mind in a more finished form in the very first thought, than we might have made them by muchart and study.

Imagination does not enable us to invent as many different contradictions as there are by nature in every heart.

It is far better to be deceived than undeceived by those whom we tenderly love.

There is no accident so unfortunate but wise men will make some advantage of it, nor any so entirely fortunate but fools may turn it to their own prejudice.

Numberless arts appear foolish whose secret motives are most wise and weighty.