There is scarcely any man sufficiently clever to appreciate all the evil he does.

Our aversion to lying is commonly a secret ambition to make what we say considerable, and have every word received with a religious respect.

If we are to judge of love by its consequences, it more nearly resembles hatred than friendship.

Great souls are not those who have fewer passions and more virtues than others, but only those who have greater designs.

L'absence diminue les mediocres passions, et augmente les grandes,comme le vent eteint les bougies, et allume le feu. Absence diminishes commonplace passions, and increases great ones, as wind extinguishes candles and kindles fire.

The more we love, the nearer we are to hate.

We arrive at the various stages of life quite as novices.