while we all desire to live long, we have all a horror of being old!

For my part, I confess I seldom listen to the players: one has so much to do, in looking about and finding out one's acquaintance, that, really, one has no time to mind the stage. One merely comes to meet one's friends, and show that one's alive.

There's no nation under the sun can beat the English for ill-politeness: for my part, I hate the very sight of them; and so I shall only just visit a person of quality or two of my particular acquaintance, and then I shall go back again to France.

Never shall I recollect the occasion he gave me of displeasure, without feeling it renewed.

Travelling is the ruin of all happiness. There's no looking at a building here after seeing Italy.

A little alarm now and then keeps life from stagnation.

You must learn not only to judge but to act for yourself.