The same common sense which makes an author write good things, makes him dread they are not good enough to deserve reading.

There are but three events which concern man: birth, life and death. They are unconscious of their birth, they suffer when they die, and they neglect to live.

It is in vain to ridicule a rich fool, for the laughers will be on his side.

As riches and honor forsake a man, we discover him to be a fool, but nobody could find it out in his prosperity.

We wish to constitute all the happiness, or, if that cannot be, the misery of the one we love.

The court is like a palace of marble; it's composed of people very hard and very polished.

A simple garb is the proper costume of the vulgar; it is cut for them, and exactly suits their measure, but it is an ornament for those who have filled up their lives with great deeds. I liken them to beauty in dishabille, but more bewitching on that account.