The pleasures of the world are deceitful; they promise more than they give. They trouble us in seeking them, they do not satisfy us when possessing them, and they make us despair in losing them.

Temperance adds zest to pleasure.

Would you be esteemed? Live with persons that are estimable.

We live with our defects as with the odors we carry about us: we do not perceive them, but they incommode those who approach us.

Perfect friendship puts us under the necessity of being virtuous. As it can only be preserved among estimable persons, it forces us to resemble them. You find in friendship the surety of good counsel, the emulation of good example, sympathy in our griefs, succor in our distress.

We can easily forgive want of means; but littleness, with means, is disgusting.

Politeness costs little and yields much.