I have lived eighty years of life and know nothing for it, but to be resigned and tell myself that flies are born to be eaten by spiders and man to be devoured by sorrow.

To announce truths is an infallible receipt for being persecuted.

The punishment of criminals should be of use; when a man is hanged he is good for nothing.

All the known world, excepting only savage nations, is governed by books.

Often the prudent, far from making their destinies, succumb to them. -Francois

You can never correct your work well until you have forgotten it.

Those who are absent, by its means become present; it [mail] is the consolation of life.