French moralist of the era of French Classical literature and author of Maximes and Memoirs
Women's virtue is frequently nothing but a regard to their own quiet and a tenderness for their reputation.
A man's worth has its season, like fruit.
The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given.
Whatever good things people say of us, they tell us nothing new.
Too great haste to repay an obligation is a kind of ingratitude.
Not all those who know their minds know their hearts as well.
To know how to hide one's ability is great skill.
Nothing hinders a thing from being natural so much as the straining ourselves to make it seem so.
Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue.