Folly pursues us at all periods of our lives. If someone seems wise it is only because his follies are proportionate to his age and fortune.

A man is ridiculous less through the characteristics he has than through those he affects to have.

As it is the mark of great minds to say many things in a few words, so it is that of little minds to use many words to say nothing.

We easily forgive our friends those faults that do no affect us ourselves.

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

We promise according to our hopes and perform according to our fears.

Few things are impossible in themselves: application to make them succeed fails us more often than the means.