Modesty and unselfishness - these are the virtues which men praise - and pass by.

Sincerity is glass, discretion is diamond.

To be witty is not enough. One must possess sufficient wit to avoid having too much of it.

The art of reading is in great part that of acquiring a better understanding of life from one's encounter with it in a book.

A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short.

All of us, from time to time, need a plunge into freedom and novelty, after which routine and discipline will seem delightful by contrast.

Often we allow ourselves to be upset by small things we should despise and forget. We lose many irreplaceable hours brooding over grievances that, in a year's time, will be forgotten by us and by everybody. No, let us devote our life to worthwhile actions and feelings, to great thoughts, real affections and enduring undertakings.