As hypocrisy is said to be the highest compliment to virtue, the art of lying is the strongest acknowledgment of the force of truth.

To impress the idea of power on others, they must be made in some way to feel it.

People do not persist in their vices because they are not weary of them, but because they cannot leave them off. It is the nature of vice to leave us no resource but in itself.

To a superior race of being the pretensions of mankind to extraordinary sanctity and virtue must seem... ridiculous.

The look of a gentleman is little else than the reflection of the looks of the world.

A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.

Art must anchor in nature, or it is the sport of every breath of folly.