It is impossible to love a second time what we have really ceased to love.

We should not be upset that others hide the truth from us, when we hide it so often from ourselves.

Behind many acts that are thought ridiculous there lie wise and weighty motives.

Truth is the foundation and the reason of the perfection of beauty, for of whatever stature a thing may be, it cannot be beautiful-and perfect, unless it be truly what it should be, and possess truly all that it should have.

We are very far from always knowing our own wishes.

Affected simplicity is an elegant imposture.

The only thing that should surprise us is that there are still some things that can surprise us.