When I express my opinions it is so as to reveal the measure of my sight not the measure of the thing.

It has never occurred to me to wish for empire or royalty, nor for the eminence of those high and commanding fortunes. My aim lies not in that direction; I love myself too well.

Silence and modesty are very valuable qualities in conversation.

If not for that of conscience, yet at least for ambition's sake, let us reject ambition, let us disdain that thirst of honor and renown, so low and mendicant; that it makes us beg it of all sorts of people.

Wisdom has its excesses, and has no less need of moderation than folly.

When I play with my cat, who knows whether she is not amusing herself with me more than I with her.

Every period of life has its peculiar prejudices; whoever saw old age, that did not applaud the past, and condemn the present times?