Absence abates a moderate passion and intensifies a great one - as the wind blows out a candle but fans fire into flame.

The head does not know how to play the part of the heart for long.

The largest ambition has the least appearance of ambition when it meets with an absolute impossibility in compassing its object.

It is the prerogative of great men only to have great defects.

Instead of considering that the worst way to persuade or please others is to try thus strongly to please ourselves, and that to listen well and to answer well are some of the greatest charms we can have in conversation.

Those who are incapable of committing great crimes do not readily suspect them in others.

Criticism sometimes is really praise, and praise sometimes slander.