We are never so happy nor so unhappy as we imagine.
Before we set our hearts too much upon anything let us examine how happy they are who already possess it.
What is perfectly true is perfectly witty.
There are bad people who would be less dangerous if they were quite devoid of goodness.
Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
The confidence which we have in ourselves gives birth to much of that which we have in others.
It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.
A refusal of praise is a desire to be praised twice.
The reason why lovers and their mistresses never tire of being together is that they are always talking of themselves.
In jealousy there is more self-love than love.
No man deserves to be praised for his goodness unless he has the strength of character to be wicked. All other goodness is generally nothing but indolence or impotence of will.
If we resist our passions it is more due to their weakness than to our strength.
Everyone complains of his lack of memory but nobody of his want of judgement.
We give advice but we do not inspire conduct.
True eloquence consists of saying all that should be not all that could be said.
Before strongly desiring anything we should look carefully into the happiness of its present owner.
A fashionable woman is always in love - with herself.
He who imagines he can do without the world deceives himself much but he who fancies the world cannot do without him is still more mistaken.
Old men are fond of giving good advice to console themselves for being no longer in a position to give bad examples.
He who lives without folly is not as wise as he thinks.