We are much mistaken if we think that men are always brave from a principle of valor, or women chaste from a principle of modesty.

Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires.

We speak little if not egged on by vanity.

We only acknowledge small faults in order to make it appear that we are free from great ones.

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

The most brilliant fortunes are often not worth the littleness required to gain them.

Mediocre minds usually dismiss anything which reaches beyond their own understanding.