Before we set our hearts too much upon anything, let us examine how happy they are who already possess it.

Conceit causes more conversation than wit.

Everyone complains of his memory, and nobody complains of his judgment.

Few persons have sufficient wisdom to prefer censure, which is useful, to praise which deceives them.

Gratitude is merely the secret hope of further favors.

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.

Hope and fear are inseparable.

How can we expect someone else to keep our secret if we cannot keep it ourselves?

If we cannot find peace within ourselves, it is useless to look for it elsewhere.

In aging, one becomes more foolish and more wise.

In the human heart new passions are forever being born; the overthrow of one almost always means the rise of another.

It is as easy unwittingly to deceive oneself as to deceive others.

It is more easy to be wise for others than for ourselves.

It takes a greater character to carry off good fortune than bad.