The more powerful the obstacle, the more glory we have in overcoming it; and the difficulties with which we are met are the maids of honor which set off virtue.

The smallest errors are always the best.

I recover my property wherever I find it.

The art of flatterers is to take advantage of the foibles of the great, to foster their errors, and never to give advice which may annoy.

The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.

There is no fate more distressing for an artist than to have to show himself off before fools, to see his work exposed to the criticism of the vulgar and ignorant.

How strange it is to see with how much passion People see things only in their own fashion!