Every place swarms with commentaries; of authors there is great scarcity.

There is more ado to interpret interpretations than to interpret things, and more books upon books than upon any other subject; we do nothing but comment upon one another.

Nature has, herself, I fear, imprinted in man a kind of instinct to inhumanity.

Glory and curiosity are the two scourges of the soul; the last prompts us to thrust our noses into everything, the other forbids us to leave anything doubtful and undecided.

Custom is a second nature, and no less powerful.

There is nothing so extreme that is not allowed by the custom of some nation or other.

God is favorable to those whom he makes to die by degrees; 'tis the only benefit of old age. The last death will be so much the less painful: it will kill but a quarter of a man or but half a one at most.

The perpetual work of your life is but to lay the foundation of death.

How many worthy men have we known to survive their own reputation, who have seen and suffered the honor and glory most justly acquired in their youth, extinguished in their own presence?

Saying is one thing and doing is another; we are to consider the sermon and the preacher distinctly and apart.