Wrinkles and ill-nature together made a woman hideous.

In the fine arts, as in many other things, we know well only what we have not learned.

It must be admitted that there are some parts of the soul which we must entirely paralyse before we can live happily in this world.

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

Conscience is a dog that does not stop us from passing but that we cannot prevent from barking.

The philosopher who would fain extinguish his passions resembles the chemist who would like to let his furnace go out.

We gild our medicines with sweets; why not clothe truth and morals in peasant garments as well?