On the brink of being satiated, desire still appears infinite.

I don't judge a regime by the damning criticism of the opposition, but by the ingenuous praise of the partisan.

We spend our time envying people whom we wouldn't wish to be.

We find it easy to believe that praise is sincere: why should anyone lie in telling us the truth?

We bestow on others praise in which we do not believe, on condition that in return they bestow upon us praise in which we do.

In our ideals we unwittingly reveal our vices.

In politics, yesterday's lie is attacked only to flatter today's.