There are no secrets that time does not reveal.
Jean Racine
I have everything, yet have nothing; and although I possess nothing, still of nothing am I in want.
A tragedy need not have blood and death; it's enough that it all be filled with that majestic sadness that is the pleasure of tragedy.
A noble heart cannot suspect in others the pettiness and malice that it has never felt.
There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it with reluctance.
I know the disposition of women: when you will, they won't; when you won't, they set their hearts upon you of their own inclination.
Love is not a fire to be shut up in a soul. Everything betrays us: voice, silence, eyes; half-covered fires burn all the brighter.
Is a faith without action a sincere faith?
Justice in the extreme is often unjust.
The principal rule of art is to please and to move. All the other rules were created to achieve this first one.
The glory of my name increases my shame. Less known by mortals, I could better escape their eyes.
I am a man, and nothing that concerns a man do I deem a matter of indifference to me.
I embrace my rival, but only to strangle him.
If I could believe that this was said sincerely, I could put up with anything.
Thank the Gods! My misery exceeds all my hopes!
Nothing is so difficult but that it may be found out by seeking.
Many a time a man cannot be such as he would be, if circumstances do not admit of it.
Without money honor is merely a disease.
On the throne, one has many worries; and remorse is the one that weighs the least.
In fine, nothing is said now that has not been said before.
According as the man is, so must you humour him.
Hell, covering all with its gloomy vapors, has cast shadows on even the holiest eyes.
I have pushed virtue to outright brutality.
My death, taking the light from my eyes, gives back to the day the purity which they soiled.
Too much virtue can be criminal.
How good is God! How sweet his yoke!
Do not they bring it to pass by knowing that they know nothing at all?
It behooves a prudent person to make trial of everything before arms.
It is a maxim of old that among themselves all things are common to friends.
