It is not always from valor or from chastity that men are brave, and women chaste.

Vanity, shame, and above all disposition, often make men brave and women chaste.

Man only blames himself in order that he may be praised.

Passion often renders the most clever man a fool, and sometimes renders the most foolish man clever.

It is sometimes necessary to play the fool to avoid being deceived by cunning men.

Men would not live in society long if they were not each others dupes.

Though most of the friendships of the world ill deserve the name of friendships; yet a man may make use of them on occasion, as of a traffic whose returns are uncertain, and in which 'tis usual to be cheated.

There are a great many men valued in society who have nothing to recommend them but serviceable vices.

Men more easily renounce their interests than their tastes.