The secret of pleasing in conversation is not to explain too much everything; to say them half and leave a little for divination is a mark of the good opinion we have of others, and nothing flatters their self-love more.

The desire to seem clever often keeps us from being so.

Consolation for unhappiness can often be found in a certain satisfaction we get from looking unhappy.

All the passions make us commit faults; love makes us commit the most ridiculous ones.

Were we faultless, we would not derive such satisfaction from remarking the faults of others.

The man whom no one pleases is much more unhappy than the man who pleases no one.

We have not strength enough to follow our reason so far as it would carry us.