When all is summed up, a man never speaks of himself without loss; his accusations of himself are always believed; his praises never.

The wise man should withdraw his soul within, out of the crowd, and keep it in freedom and power to judge things freely; but as for externals, he should wholly follow the accepted fashions and forms.

No two men ever judged alike of the same thing, and it is impossible to find two opinions exactly similar, not only in different men but in the same men at different times.

A man must live in the world and make the best of it, such as it is.

How many valiant men we have seen to survive their own reputation!

Almost all the opinions we have are taken on authority and on credit.

I have often seen people uncivil by too much civility, and tiresome in their courtesy.