People take England on trust, and repeat that Shakespeare is the greatest of all authors. I have read him: there is nothing that compares Racine or Corneille: his plays are unreadable, pitiful.

When you have an enemy in your power, deprive him of the means of ever injuring you.

The torment of precautions often exceeds the dangers to be avoided. It is sometimes better to abandon one's self to destiny.

As for me, to love you alone, to make you happy, to do nothing which would contradict your wishes, this is my destiny and the meaning of my life.

It is rare that a legislature reasons. It is too quickly impassioned.

We should wash our dirty linen at home.

No amount of money will induce someone to lay down their life, but they will gladly do so for a bit of yellow ribbon.