When women oppose themselves to the projects and ambition of men, they excite their lively resentment; if in their youth they meddle with political intrigues, their modesty must suffer.

Self-love, so sensitive in its own cause, has rarely any sympathy to spare for others.

In matters of the heart, nothing is true except the improbable.

Morality must guide calculation, and calculation must guide politics.

I never was able to believe in the existence of next year except as in a metaphysical notion.

The more we know the better we forgive. Whoever feels deeply, feels for all who live.

The people are as severe toward the clergy as toward women; they want to see absolute devotion to duty from both.