If we never flattered ourselves we should have but scant pleasure.

In friendship as well as love, ignorance very often contributes more to our happiness than knowledge.

Gravity is a mysterious carriage of the body invented to cover the defects of the mind.

The art of using moderate abilities to advantage often brings greater results than actual brilliance

Few things are needed to make a wise man happy; nothing can make a fool content; that is why most men are miserable.

Youth changes its tastes by the warmth of its blood; age retains its tastes by habit.

It appears that nature has hid at the bottom of our hearts talents and abilities unknown to us. It is only the passions that have the power of bringing them to light, and sometimes give us views more true and more perfect than art could possibly do.