The only thing certain is nothing is certain.

We are nothing but ceremony; ceremony carries us away, and we leave the substance of things; we hang on to the branches and abandon the trunk and body.

Custom is a second nature, and no less powerful.

No profession or occupation is more pleasing than the military; a profession or exercise both noble in execution (for the strongest, most generous and proudest of all virtues is true valor) and noble in its cause. No utility either more just or universal than the protection of the repose or defense of the greatness of one's country. The company and daily conversation of so many noble, young and active men cannot but be well-pleasing to you.

It costs an unreasonable woman no more to pass over one reason than another; they cherish themselves most where they are most wrong.

Shame on all eloquence which leaves us with a taste for itself and not for its substance.

Silence and modesty are very valuable qualities in conversation.