A town, before it can be plundered and, deserted, must first be taken; and in this particular Venus has borrowed a law from her consort Mars. A woman that wishes to retain her suitor must keep him in the trenches; for this is a siege which the besieger never raises for want of supplies, since a feast is more fatal to love than a fast, and a surfeit than a starvation. Inanition may cause it to die a slow death, but repletion always destroys it by a sudden one.

This world cannot explain its own difficulties without the assistance of another.

Any one can give advice, such as it is, but only a wise man knows how to profit by it.

He that has never known adversity is but half acquainted with others, or with himself.

A house may draw visitors, but it is the possessor alone that can detain them.

Power will intoxicate the best hearts, as wine the strongest heads. No man is wise enough, nor good enough to be trusted with unlimited power.

The inheritance of a distinguished and noble name is a proud inheritance to him who lives worthily of it.