We are never so happy nor so unhappy as we imagine.
It is not enough to succeed a friend must fail.
There are bad people who would be less dangerous if they were quite devoid of goodness.
The confidence which we have in ourselves gives birth to much of that which we have in others.
True eloquence consists of saying all that should be not all that could be said.
The reason why lovers and their mistresses never tire of being together is that they are always talking of themselves.
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.
Before strongly desiring anything we should look carefully into the happiness of its present owner.
Everyone complains of his lack of memory but nobody of his want of judgement.
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.
Moderation is an ostentatious proof of our strength of character.
One can find women who have never had a love affair but it is rare indeed to find any who have had only one.
True bravery is shown by performing without witness what one might be capable of doing before all the world.
Old men are fond of giving good advice to console themselves for being no longer in a position to give bad examples.
We always love those who admire us and we do not always love those whom we admire.
Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones just as the wind blows out a candle and fans a fire.
What is perfectly true is perfectly witty.
It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.