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

Our own distrust gives a fair pretence for the knavery of other people.

It is not always from valor or from chastity that men are brave, and women chaste.

There is a sort of love whose very excessiveness prevents the lover's being jealous.

Sincerity is a certain openness of heart. It is to be found in very few, and what we commonly look upon to be so is only a cunningsort of dissimulation, to insinuate ourselves into the confidence of others.

Perfect behavior is born of complete indifference.

If vanity does not entirely overthrow the virtues, at least it makes them all totter.