Aphorisms

It is a sin to believe evil of others, but it is seldom a mistake.

Conscience: the inner voice which warns us that someone may be looking.

The surest way to get a reputation as a liar is to pretend to be very good. The next surest way is to pretend to be very wicked.

All men are frauds. The only difference between them is that some admit it. I myself deny it.

The first step of wisdom is to accuse everything; the last, to make peace with everything.

The people who never have any time do the least.

The ordinary mind always conforms to the prevailing opinion and the prevailing fashion.

He has written eight volumes. He would surely have done better to plant eight trees or beget eight children.

Quarrels would not last long if the fault were only on one side.

We should desire few things ardently if we knew perfectly what we desire.

Passion often makes a fool of the cleverest man, and often makes the most foolish clever.

He who thinks he can find in himself the means of doing without others is much mistaken; but he who thinks others cannot do without him is still more mistaken.