Few people know how to be old.

Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue.

How can we expect another to keep our secret if we cannot keep it ourselves.

It is as easy to deceive one’s self without perceiving it, as it is difficult to deceive others without their finding it out.

It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.

It is with true love as with ghosts: the whole world speaks of it but few have seen it.

Our self-esteem is more inclined to resent criticism of our tastes than of our opinions.

Self-love is the greatest flatterer of all.

Silence is the safest course for any man to adopt who distrusts himself.

The desire to seem clever often keeps us from being so.

The passions are the only orators who always convince. They have a kind of natural art with infallible rules; and the most untutored man filled with passion is more persuasive than the most eloquent without.

True eloquence consists of saying all that should be, not all that could be, said.

Whatever disgrace we may have deserved, it is almost always in our power to re-establish our character.

We all have strength enough to endure the misfortune of others.

We need greater virtue to sustain good than evil fortunes.