the last steps of life are ever slow and difficult.

In women's destiny everything goes downhill except for thought, whose immortal nature it is to keep constantly rising.

Morality must guide calculation, and calculation must guide politics.

The mystery of existence is the connection between our faults and our misfortunes.

[On Napoleon:] One has the impression of an imperious wind blowing about one's ears when one is near that man.

Men have made of fortune an all-powerful goddess, in order that she may be made responsible for all their blunder's.

Of all human sentiments, enthusiasm creates the most happiness; it is the only sentiment in fact which gives real happiness, the only sentiment which can help us to bear our human destiny in any situation in which we may find ourselves.