What we term virtue is often but a mass of various actions and divers interests, which fortune, or our own industry, manage to arrange; and it is not… - François de La Rochefoucauld

We should make it a rule never to have half confidences. They always embarrass those who give them, and dissatisfy those who receive them. They shed an uncertain light on what we want hidden, increase curiosity, entitling the recipients to know more, giving them leave to consider themselves free to talk of what they have guessed. It is far safer and more honest to tell nothing than to be silent when we have begun to tell.

He who imagines he can do without the world deceives himself much; but he who fancies the world cannot do without him is still more mistaken.

most men only die because they know not how to prevent dying.