False modesty is the masterpiece of vanity: showing the vain man in such an illusory light that he appears in the reputation of the virtue quite opposite to the vice which constitutes his real character; it is a deceit.

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.

Everything has been said, and we have come too late, now that men have been living and thinking for seven thousand years and more.

We rarely repent of speaking little, but often of speaking too much.

He who can wait for what he desires takes the course not to be exceedingly grieved if he fails of it; he, on the contrary, who labors after a thing too impatiently thinks the success when it comes is not a recompense equal to all the pains he has been at about it.

If you wish to be held in esteem, you must ssociate only with those who estimable.

Life at court does not satisfy a man, but it keeps him from being satisfied with anything else.