We need to be just before we are generous, as we need shirts before ruffles.

Tragedy has the great moral defect of giving too much importance to life and death.

Most benefactors are like unskillful generals who take the city and leave the citadel intact.

There are more people who wish to be loved than there are who are willing to love.

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

Scandal is an importunate wasp, against which we must make no movement unless we are quite sure that we can kill it; otherwise it will return to the attack more furious than ever.

Public opinion is the worst of all opinions.