Coquetry is the essential characteristic, and the prevalent humor of women; but they do not all practice it, because the coquetry of some is restrained by fear or by reason.

A man is sometimes better off deceived about the one he loves, than undeceived.

The mind cannot long play the heart's role.

It is easier to deceive yourself, and to do so unperceived, than to deceive another.

Perfect valour consists in doing without witnesses that which we would be capable of doing before everyone.

There are some faults which, when well managed, make a greater figure than virtue itself.

Pride has a greater share than goodness in the reproofs we give other people for their faults; and we chide them not so much to make them mend those faults as to make them believe that we ourselves are without fault.