The great charm of conversation consists less in the display of one's own wit and intelligence than in the power to draw forth the resources of others.

There is not in the world so toilsome a trade as the pursuit of fame; life concludes before you have so much as sketched your work.

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

There are some who speak one moment before they think

A man has made great progress in cunning when he does not seem too clever to others.

The exact contrary of what is generally believed is often the truth.

It is motive alone that gives real value to the actions of men, and disinterestedness puts the cap to it.