A vain man finds it wise to speak good or ill of himself; a modest man does not talk of himself.

If it be usual to be strongly impressed by things that are scarce, why are we so little impressed by virtue?

When we have run through all forms of government, without partiality to that we were born under, we are at a loss with which to side; they are all a compound of good and evil. It is therefore most reasonable and safe to value that of our own country above all others, and to submit to it.

Caprice in woman is the antidote to beauty.

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

A man who knows the court is master of his gestures, of his eyes and of his face; he is profound, impenetratable; he dissimulates bad offices, smiles at his enemies, controls his irritation, disguises his passions, belies his heartm speaks and acts against his feelings.

The wise person often shuns society for fear of being bored.