There is not a more prudent maxim, than to live with one's enemies as if they may one day become one's friends; as it commonly happens, sooner or later, in the vicissitudes of political affairs.

I recommend you to take care of the minutes, for the hours will take care of themselves.

A man of sense soon discovers, because he carefully observes, where and how long he is welcome; and takes care to leave the company at least as soon as he is wished out of it. Fools never perceive whether they are ill timed or ill placed.

The talent of insinuation is more useful than that of persuasion, as everybody is open to insinuation, but scarce any to persuasion.

Men are much more unwilling to have their weaknesses and their imperfections known than their crimes.

Since attaining the full use of my reason no one has ever heard me laugh.

A weak mind is like a microscope, which magnifies trifling things but cannot receive great ones.