We must confess that at present the rich predominate, but the future will be for the virtuous and ingenious.

Let us not envy some men their accumulated riches; their burden would be too heavy for us; we could not sacrifice, as they do, health, quiet, honor and conscience, to obtain them: It is to pay so dear from them that the bargain is a loss.

A man can keep another's secret better than his own. A woman her own better than others.

Extremes are vicious, and proceed from men; compensation is just, and proceeds from God.

How much wit, good-nature, indulgences, how many good offices and civilities, are required among friends to accomplish in some years what a lovely face or a fine hand does in a minute!

High birth is a gift of fortune which should never challenge esteem towards those who receive it, since it costs them neither study nor labor.

Even the best intentioned of great men need a few scoundrels around them; there are some things you cannot ask an honest ma to do.