A man can hardly be said to have made a fortune if he does not know how to enjoy it.

A man who love only himself and his pleasures is vain, presumptuous, and wicked even from principle.

In order to protect himself from force, man was obliged to submit to justice. Justice or force: he was compelled to choose between the two masters, so little are we made to be independent.

I do not approve the maxim which desires a man to know a little of everything. Superficial knowledge, knowledge without principles, is almost always useless and sometimes harmful knowledge.

Mediocre men sometimes fear great office, and when they do not aim at it, or when they refuse it, all that is to be concluded is that they are aware of their mediocrity.

The mind of man is more intuitive than logical, and comprehends more than it can coordinate.

Men dissimulate their dearest, most constant, and most virtuous inclination from weakness and a fear of being condemned.

Fools do not understand men of intelligence.