It is only certain that there is nothing certain, and that nothing is more miserable or more proud than man.

My opinion is that we must lend ourselves to others and give ourselves only to ourselves. If my will happened to be prone to mortgage and attach itself, I would not last: I am too tender, both by nature and by practice.

We are all of us richer than we think we are; but we are taught to borrow and to beg, and brought up more to make use of what is another's than of our own.

I, who am king of the matter I treat, and who owe an accounting for it to no one, do not for all that believe myself in all I write. I often hazard sallies of my mind which I mistrust.

Wisdom is a solid and entire building, of which every piece keeps its place and bears its mark.

A well-bred man is always sociable and complaisant.

Lawyers and physicians are an ill provision for any country.