People are often vain of their passions, even of the worst, but envy is a passion so timid and shame-faced that no one ever dare avow her.

The most subtle of our acts is to simulate blindness for snares that we know are set for us.

Customary use of artifice is the sign of a small mind, and it almost always happens that he who uses it to cover one spot uncovers himself in another.

The reason we do not let our friends see the very bottom of our hearts is not so much distrust of them as distrust of ourselves.

It is as common for tastes to change as it is uncommon for traits of character.

Everyone blames his memory, no one blames his judgment.

Constancy in love is of two sorts: One is the effect of new excellencies that are always presenting themselves afresh, and attractour affections continually; the other is only from a point of honor, and a taking of pride not to change.