Cardinal Mazarin was a great knave, but no great man; much more cunning than able; scandalously false and dirtily greedy.
Remember, as long as you live, that nothing but strict truth can carry you through the world, with either your conscience or your honor unwounded.
In business be as able as you can, but do not be cunning; cunning is the dark sanctuary of incapacity.
An honest man may really love a pretty girl, but only an idiot marries her merely because she is pretty.
You will find that reason, which always ought to direct mankind, seldom does; but that passions and weaknesses commonly usurp itsseat, and rule in its stead.
Spirit is now a very fashionable word: to act with Spirit, to speak with Spirit, means only to act rashly, and to talk indiscreetly. An able man shows his Spirit by gentle words and resolute actions; he is neither hot nor timid.
There is not a more prudent maxim, than to live with one’s enemies as if they may one day become one’s friends; as it commonly happens, sooner or later, in the vicissitudes of political affairs.
Keep your own secret, and get out other people’s. Keep your own temper, and artfully warm other people’s. Counterwork your rivalswith diligence and dexterity, but at the same time with the utmost personal civility to them: and be firm without heat.
Merit and knowledge will not gain hearts, though they will secure them when gained.
Most people have ears, but few have judgment; tickle those ears, and depend upon it, you will catch their judgments, such as they are.
Half the business is done, when one has gained the heart and the affections of those with whom one is to transact it.
Business by no means forbids pleasures; on the contrary, they reciprocally season each other; and I will venture to affirm that noman enjoys either in perfection that does not join both.
In the ordinary course of things, how many succeed in society merely by virtue of their manners, while others, however meritorious, fail through lack of them? After all, it’s only barbarians who wear uncut precious stones.
As fathers commonly go, it is seldom a misfortune to be fatherless; and considering the general run of sons, as seldom a misfortune to be childless.
Character must be kept bright as well as clean.
I look upon indolence as a sort of suicide; for the man is effectually destroyed, though the appetites of the brute may survive.
If you would convince others, seem open to conviction yourself.
In matters of religion and matrimony I never give any advice; because I will not have anybody’s torments in this world or the next laid to my charge.
Let them show me a cottage where there are not the same vices of which they accuse the courts.
Politicians neither love nor hate. Interest, not sentiment, directs them.
Love has been not unaptly compared to the small-pox, which most people have sooner or later.