Ambitious men spend their youth in rendering themselves worthy of patronage; it is their great mistake. While the foolish creatures are laying in stores of knowledge and energy, so that they shall not sink under the weight of responsible posts that recede from them, schemers come and go who are wealthy in words and destitute of ideas, astonish the ignorant, and creep into the confidence of those who have a little knowledge.

Those who spend too fast never grow rich.

Men are such dupes by choice, that he who would impose upon others never need be at a loss to find ready victims.

In France we can cauterize wounds but we do not yet know any remedy for the injuries inflicted by a bon mot.

Glory and fame mean twelve thousand francs' worth of paid articles in the newspapers and five thousand crowns' worth of dinners.

Reading brings us unknown friends

To promote laughter without joining in it greatly heightens the effect.