The greatest part of our faults are more excusable than the methods that are commonly taken to conceal them.

Gallantry of mind consists in saying flattering things in an agreeable manner.

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

The truest comparison we can make of love is to liken it to a fever; we have no more power over the one than the other, either as to its violence or duration.

Almost everyone takes pleasure in repaying trifling obligations, very many feel gratitude for those that are moderate; but there is scarcely anyone who is not ungrateful for those that are weighty.

We are nearer loving those who hate us than those who love us more than we wish.

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