The knowledge of courtesy and good manners is a very necessary study. It is, like grace and beauty, that which begets liking and an inclination to love one another at the first sight.

The laws of conscience, which we pretend to be derived from nature, proceed from custom.

The memory represents to us not what we choose but what it pleases.

The middle sort of historians, of which the most part are, they spoil all; they will chew our meat for us.

The mind is a dangerous weapon, even to the possessor, if he knows not discreetly how to use it.

The most manifest sign of wisdom is continued cheerfulness.

The oldest and best known evil was ever more supportable than one that was new and untried.

The perpetual work of your life is but to lay the foundation of death.

The public weal requires that men should betray, and lie, and massacre.

The same reason that makes us wrangle with a neighbor, causes a war between princes.