There is a melancholy that stems from greatness

Most of those who make collections of verse or epigram are like men eating cherries or oysters: they choose out the best at first, and end by eating all.

There are more fools than wise men, and even in a wise man there is more folly than wisdom.

It is commonly supposed that the art of pleasing is a wonderful aid in the pursuit of fortune; but the art of being bored is infinitely more successful.

I have three kinds of friends: those who love me, those who pay no attention to me, and those who detest me.

The best philosophical attitude to adopt towards the world is a union of the sarcasm of gaiety with the indulgence of contempt.

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