Contemplation often makes life miserable. We should act more, think less, and stop watching ourselves live.

Most of those who make collections of verse or epigram are like men eating cherries or oysters: they choose out the best at first, and end by eating all.

The contemplative life is often miserable. One must act more, think less, and not watch oneself live.

The only thing that stops God from sending another flood is that the first one was useless.

I have three kinds of friends: those who love me, those who pay no attention to me, and those who detest me.

There are two things that one must get used to or one will find life unendurable: the damages of time and injustices of men.

It is commonly supposed that the art of pleasing is a wonderful aid in the pursuit of fortune; but the art of being bored is infinitely more successful.

Preoccupation with money is the great test of small natures, but only a small test of great ones.

Swallow a toad in the morning and you will encounter nothing more disgusting the rest of the day.