The maxim that men are not to be praised before their death was invented by envy and too lightly adopted by philosophers.
We are dismayed when we find that even disaster cannot cure us of our faults.
Ignorance is not lack of intelligence, nor knowledge a proof of genius.
It is good to be firm by temperament and pliant by reflection.
You must rouse into people's consciousness their own prudence and strength, if you want to raise their character.
It cannot be a vice in men to be sensible of their strength.