The old begin to complain of the conduct of the young when they themselves are no longer able to set a bad example.

It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions only, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. Idleness, languid as it is, often masters them all; she influences all our designs and actions, and insensibly consumes and destroys both passions and virtues.

The temperament that produces a talent for little things is the opposite of that required for great ones.

One kind of happiness is to know exactly at what point to be miserable.

No matter how much care we put into hiding our passions under the appearances of devotion and honor, they can always be seen to peer out through these covers.

Nothing ought in reason to mortify our self-satisfaction more that the considering that we condemn at one time what we highly approve and commend at another.

Renewed friendships require more care than those that have never been broken.