From its very inaction, idleness ultimately becomes the most active cause of evil; as a palsy is more to be dreaded than a fever. The Turks have a proverb which says that the devil tempts all other men, but that idle men tempt the devil.

That is fine benevolence, finely executed, which, like the Nile, comes from hidden sources.

Fashion is the veriest goddess of semblance and of shade; to be happy is of far less consequence to her worshippers than to appear so; even pleasure itself they sacrifice to parade, and enjoyment to ostentation.

Honor is the most capricious in her rewards. She feeds us with air, and often pulls down our house, to build our monument.

Logic is a large drawer, containing some useful instruments, and many more that are superfluous. A wise man will look into it for two purposes, to avail himself of those instruments that are really useful, and to admire the ingenuity with which those that are not so, are assorted and arranged.

Most females will forgive a liberty rather than a slight

There is this paradox in pride - it makes some men ridiculous, but prevents others from becoming so.