“One sees qualities at a distance and defects at close range.”

“Every good quality runs into a defect; economy borders on avarice, the generous are not far from the prodigal, the brave man is close to the bully; he who is very pious is slightly sanctimonious; there are just as many vices to virtue as there are holes in the mantle of Diogenes.”

“There are people who observe the rules of honor as one observes the stars, from a great distance.”

“There is lucidity inspired by the nearness of the grave:to be close to death is to see clearly”

“The quantity of civilization is measured by the quality of imagination.”

“Just see how idiotic one can be! One reckons without the good God.”

“Not seeing people permits one to attribute to them all possible perfections.”