Sincerity is an openness of heart; we find it in very few people; what we usually see is only an artful dissimulation to win the confidence of others.

He who refuses praise the first time that it is offered does so because he would hear it a second time.

Sometimes we lose friends for whose loss our regret is greater than our grief, and others for whom our grief is greater than our regret.

Self-love is more cunning than the most cunning man in the world.

Novelty is to love like bloom to fruit; it gives a luster which is easily effaced, but never returns.

Flattery is a counterfeit money which, but for vanity, would have no circulation.

It is easy to be wise on behalf of others than to be so for ourselves.