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.

The courage of a great many men, and the virtue of a great many women, are the effect of vanity, shame, and especially a suitabletemperament.

How can we be answerable for what we shall want in the future, since we have no clear idea of what we want now?

There are few occasions when we should make a bad bargain by giving up the good on condition that no ill was said of us.

There are few people more convinced of their own genius than those who complain of how stupid they are.

What makes lovers never tire of one another is that they talk always about themselves.

It is much better to learn to deal with the ills we have now than to speculate on those that may befall us.