Let a man's talents or virtues be what they may, he will only feel satisfaction in his society as he is satisfied in himself.

A really great man has always an idea of something greater than himself.

When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest.

The only true retirement is that of the heart; the only true leisure is the repose of the passions. To such persons it makes little difference whether they are young or old; and they die as they have lived, with graceful resignation.

Life is the art of being well deceived; and in order that the deception may succeed it must be habitual and uninterrupted.

Life is a continued struggle to be what we are not, and to do what we cannot.

Religion either makes men wise and virtuous, or it makes them set up false pretenses to both.