“When you have nothing to say, say nothing; a weak defense strengthens your opponent, and silence is less injurious than a bad reply.”

Be real and adjust you strategy according to honest results.

It is with nations as with individuals, those who know the least of others think the highest of themselves; for the whole family of pride and ignorance are incestuous, and mutually beget each other.

Knowledge is two-fold, and consists not only in an affirmation of what is true, but in the negation of that which is false.

As the gout seems privileged to attack the bodies of the wealthy, so ennui seems to exert a similar prerogative over their minds.

Tyrants have not yet discovered any chains that can fetter the mind.

It is best, if possible, to deceive no one; for he that begins by deceiving others, will end by deceiving himself.

There are two way of establishing a reputation, one to be praised by honest people and the other to be accused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the first one, because it will always be accompanied by the latter.

A man’s profundity may keep him from opening on a first interview, and his caution on a second; but I should suspect his emptiness, if he carried on his reserve to a third.

Light, whether it be material or moral, is the best reformer.

The true motives of our actions, like the real pipes of an organ, are usually concealed; but the gilded and hollow pretext is pompously placed in the front for show.

Cheerfulness ought to be the viaticum vitae of their life to the old; age without cheerfulness is a Lapland winter without a sun.

Make no enemies; he is insignificant indeed that can do thee no harm.

What would you do if you knew for sure that no one would ever find out?

The family is the most basic unit of government. As the first community to which a person is attached and the first authority under which a person learns to live, the family establishes society’s most basic values.

The man of pleasure, by a vain attempt to be more happy than any man can be, is often more miserable than most men are.

Sometimes the greatest adversities turn out to be the greatest blessings.