We do not wish ardently for what we desire only through reason.

Lovers, when they are no longer in love, find it very hard to break up.

Moderation cannot have the credit of combatiug and subduing ambition, they are never found together. Moderation is the languor and indolence of the soul, as ambition is its activity and ardor.

If one judges love according to the greatest part of the effects it produces, it would appear to resemble rather hatred than kindness.

We are deceived if we think that mind and judgment are two different matters: judgment is but the extent of the light of the mind. This light penetrates to the bottom of matters; it remarks all that can be remarked, and perceives what appears imperceptible. Therefore we must agree that it is the extent of the light in the mind that produces all the effects which we attribute to judgment.

Affected simplicity is an elegant imposture.

Even women are perfect at the outset.