The new friends whom we make after attaining a certain age and by whom we would fain replace those whom we have lost, are to our old friends what glass eyes, false teeth and wooden legs are to real eyes, natrual teeth and legs of flesh and bone.

Sometimes apparent resemblance of character will bring two men together and for a certain time unite them. But their mistake gradually becomes evident, and they are astonished to find themselves not only far apart, but even repelled, in some sort, at all their points of contact.

What one knows best is ... what one has learned not from books but as a result of books, through the reflections to which they have given rise.

Covetousness is a sort of mental gluttony, not confined to money, but craving honor, and feeding on selfishness.

Nature never said to me: Do not be poor; still less did she say: Be rich; her cry to me was always: Be independent.

Wicked people sometimes perform good actions. I suppose they wish to see if this gives as great a feeling of pleasure as the virtuous claim for it.

False modesty is the most decent of all lies.