We think very few people sensible, except those who are of our opinion.
To establish yourself in the world a person must do all they can to appear already established.
The shame that arises from praise which we do not deserve often makes us do things we should otherwise never have attempted.
Bodily labor alleviates the pains of the mind and from this arises the happiness of the poor.
Politeness of mind consists in thinking chaste and refined thoughts.
Vanity, shame, and above all disposition, often make men brave and women chaste.
It is not always from valor or from chastity that men are brave, and women chaste.
The height of ability in the least able consists in knowing how to submit to the good leadership of others.
What makes us so often discontented with those who transact business for us is that they almost always abandon the interest of their friends for the interest of the business, because they wish to have the honor of succeeding in that which they have undertaken.
It appears that nature has hid at the bottom of our hearts talents and abilities unknown to us. It is only the passions that have the power of bringing them to light, and sometimes give us views more true and more perfect than art could possibly do.
Folly pursues us at all periods of our lives. If someone seems wise it is only because his follies are proportionate to his age and fortune.
Flattery is a base coin which is current only through our vanity.
Gallantry of mind consists in saying flattering things in an agreeable manner.
We torment ourselves rather to make it appear that we are happy than to become so.
There may be talent without position, but there is no position without some kind of talent.
When fortune surprises us by giving us some great office without having gradually led us to expect it, or without having raised our hopes, it is well nigh impossible to occupy it well, and to appear worthy to fill it.
Avarice often produces opposite results: there are an infinite number of persons who sacrifice their property to doubtful and distant expectations; others mistake great future advantages for small present interests.
The qualities we have, make us so ridiculous as those which we affect.
To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
Eloquence: saying the proper thing and stopping.