The sublime is contained in a grain of dust.

Political men, like goats, usually thrive best among inequalities.

Those who are quite satisfied sit still and do nothing; those who are not quite satisfied are the sole benefactors of the world.

When a cat flatters ... he is not insincere: you may safely take it for real kindness.

Religion is the eldest sister of philosophy: on whatever subjects they may differ, it is unbecoming in either to quarrel, and most so about their inheritance.

Modesty and diffidence make a man unfit for public affairs; they also make him unfit for brothels.

A man's vanity tells him what is honor, a man's conscience what is justice.