A man convinced of his own merit will accept misfortune as an honor, for thus can he persuade others, as well as himself, that he is a worthy target for the arrows of fate.

Moral severity in women is only a dress or paint which they use to set off their beauty.

We easily forgive our friends those faults that do no affect us ourselves.

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

Men are inconsolable concerning the treachery of their friends or the deceptions of their enemies; and yet they are often very highly satisfied to be both deceived and betrayed by their own selves.

Some good qualities are like the senses: Those who are entirely deprived of them can have no notion of them.

Our self-love can less bear to have our tastes than our opinions condemned.