Peu de gens savent être vieux. - 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.

Tenemos mas fuerza que voluntad: y sucede que, para excusarnos con nosotros mismos, nos imaginamos imposibles las cosas.

Ce qui nous donne tant d’aigreur contre ceux qui nous font des finesses, c’est qu’ils croient être plus habiles que nous.