French moralist of the era of French Classical literature and author of Maximes and Memoirs
We would rather speak ill of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.
When our vices leave us, we like to imagine it is we who are leaving them.
Perhaps being old is having lighted rooms inside your head, and people in them, acting. People you know, yet can't quite name.
The virtues and vices are all put in motion by interest.
The first lover is kept a long while, when no offer is made of a second.
We are very far from always knowing our own wishes.
The reason that lovers never weary each other is because they are always talking about themselves.
The more one loves a mistress, the more one is ready to hate her.
The man that thinks he loves his mistress for her own sake is mightily mistaken.
We are nearer loving those who hate us than those who love us more than we wish.