We can recognize the dawn and the decline of love by the uneasiness we feel when alone together.

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.

Great things astonish us, and small dishearten us. Custom makes both familiar.

Life is a kind of sleep: old men sleep longest, nor begin to wake but when they are to die.

It would be a kind of ferocity to reject indifferently all sorts of praise. One should be glad to have that which comes from good men who praise in sincerity things that are really praiseworthy.

There are three great events in our lives: birth, life and death. Of birth we have no conscience; with death, we suffer; and, concerning life, we forget to live it.

We should laugh before being happy, for fear of dying without having laughed.