That which occasions so many mistakes in the computations of men, when they expect return for favors, is that the giver's pride and the receiver's cannot agree upon the value of the kindness done.

Philosophy triumphs easily over past evils and future evils, but present evils triumph over it.

Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires.

We are better pleased to see those on whom we confer benefits than those from whom we receive them.

It appears that nature has hid at the bottom of our hearts talents and abilities unknown to us. It is only the passions that have the power of bringing them to light, and sometimes give us views more true and more perfect than art could possibly do.

We are easily comforted for the misfortunes of our friends, when those misfortunes give us an occasion of expressing our affection and solicitude.

Flattery is a base coin which is current only through our vanity.