Great men undertake great things because they are great; fools, because they think them easy.

Men dissimulate their dearest, most constant, and most virtuous inclination from weakness and a fear of being condemned.

A new principle is an inexhaustible source of new views.

It is of no use to possess a lively wit if it is not of the right proportion: the perfection of a clock is not to go fast, but to be accurate.

It is unjust to exact that men shall do out of deference to our advice what they have no desire to do for themselves.

The heaviest object in the world is the body of the woman you have ceased to love.

Everyone is born sincere and dies deceivers.