As soon as we are shown the existence of something old in a new thing, we are pacified.

A refined nature is vexed by knowing that some one owes it thanks, a coarse nature by knowing that it owes thanks to some one.

One often contradicts an opinion when it is really only the tone in which it has been presented that is unsympathetic.

Rendering oneself unarmed when one had been the best-armed, out of a height of feeling-that is the means to real peace, which must always rest on a peace of mind.

The parasites live where the great have little secret sores.

The man who sees little always sees less than there is to see; the man who hears badly always hears something more than there is to hear.

To the mean all becomes mean.

A married philosopher belongs to comedy.

Compassion for the friend should conceal itself under a hard shell.

Verily, I do not like them, the merciful who feel blessed in their pity: they are lacking too much in shame. If I must pity, at least I do not want it known; and if I do pity, it is preferably from a distance.