Considering how little the beginning or the ceasing to love is in our own power, it is foolish and unreasonable for the lover or his mistress to complain of one another's inconstancy.

A readiness to believe ill of others, before we have duly examined it, is the effect of laziness and pride. We are eager to find aculprit, and loath to give ourselves the trouble of examining the crime.

Passion makes idiots of the cleverest men, and makes the biggest idiots clever.

We pardon to the extent that we love.

Treachery is more often the effect of weakness than of a formed design.

The breeding we give young people is ordinarily but an additional self-love, by which we make them have a better opinion of themselves.

Minds of moderate caliber ordinarily condemn everthing which is beyond their range.