The height of ability consists in a thorough knowledge of the real value of things, and of the genius of the age in which we live.
We should only affect compassion, and carefully avoid having any.
What we take for virtue is often nothing but an assemblage of different actions, and of different interests, that fortune or our industry knows how to arrange.
If vanity does not entirely overthrow the virtues, at least it makes them all totter.
Though confidence is very fine, and makes the future sunny; I want no confidence for mine, I’d rather have the money.
The hunger for applause is the source for all conscious literature and heroism.
How deceitful hope may be, yet she carries us on pleasantly to the end of life.
There are no circumstances, however unfortunate, that clever people do not extract some advantage from.
There are some good marriages, but practically no delightful ones.
Nature has concealed at the bottom of our minds talents and abilities of which we are not aware.
It is as easy to deceive one’s self without perceiving it, as it is difficult to deceive others without their finding out.
It is a common fault never to be satisfied with our fortune, nor dissatisfied with our understanding.
Most people judge men by their success or their good fortune.
Innocence is lucky if it finds the same protection as guilt.
It is the habit of mediocre minds to condemn all that is beyond their grasp.
We sometimes imagine we hate flattery, but we only hate the way we are flattered.
We should not judge a man’s merits by his great qualities, but by the use he makes of them.
Those who are themselves incapable of great crimes are ever backward to suspect others.
No matter how much care we put into hiding our passions under the appearances of devotion and honor, they can always be seen to peer out through these covers.
A fashionable woman is always in love – with herself.