Duc de La Rochefoucauld

There is an eloquent silence: it serves sometimes to approve, sometimes to condemn; there is a mocking silence; there is a respectful silence.

Enthusiasm is the most convincing orator; it is like the functioning of an infallible law of nature. The simplest man, fired with enthusiasm, is more persuasive than the most eloquent without it.

There are bad people who would be less dangerous if they were quite devoid of goodness.

Nothing is so contagious as an example. We never do great good or evil without bringing about more of the same on the part of others.

Our strength exceeds our will; how often we say things are impossible when we are looking for an excuse.

Nothing is impossible: there are ways which lead to everything; and if we had sufficient will we should always have sufficient means. It is often merely for an excuse that we say things are impossible.

We can never be certain of our courage until we have faced danger.

Nothing prevents us from being natural so much as the desire to appear so.

Few persons have sufficient wisdom to prefer censure, which is useful, to praise which deceives them.

There is such a thing as a general revolution which changes the taste of men as it changes the fortunes of the world.