God defend me from being an honest man according to the description which every day I see made by each man to his own glorification

Fame and tranquility can never be bedfellows.

We owe subjection and obedience to all our kings, whether good or bad, alike, for that has respect unto their office; but as to esteem and affection, these are only due to their virtue.

When I play with my cat, who knows whether I do not make her more sport than she makes me?

It is a thorny undertaking, and more so than it seems, to follow a movement so wandering as that of our mind, to penetrate the opaque depths of its innermost folds, to pick out and immobilize the innumerable flutterings that agitate it.

It is a sign of contraction of the mind when it is content, or of weariness.

And therefore, Reader, I myself am the subject of my book: it is not reasonable that you should employ your leisure on a topic so frivolous and so vain. Therefore, Farewell.