Dreams are faithful interpreters of our inclinations; but there is art required to sort and understand them.

In my opinion, the most fruitful and natural play of the mind is conversation. I find it sweeter than any other action in life; and if I were forced to choose, I think I would rather lose my sight than my hearing and voice. The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up.

I had rather fashion my mind than furnish it.

Long life, and short, are by death made all one; for there is no long, nor short, to things that are no more.

I never rebel so much against France as not to regard Paris with a friendly eye; she has had my heart since my childhood... I love her tenderly, even to her warts and her spots. I am French only by this great city: the glory of France, and one of the noblest ornaments of the world.

There is perhaps no more obvious vanity than to write of it so vainly.

Speaking is half his that speaks, and half his that hears.