Tricks and treachery are merely proofs of lack of skill.

To listen closely and reply well is the highest perfection we are able to attain in the art of conversation.

What renders other people's vanity insufferable is that it wounds our own.

The more one loves a mistress, the more one is ready to hate her.

No fools are so difficult to manage as those with some brains.

We should desire very few things passionately if we did but perfectly know the nature of the things we desire.

The name and pretense of virtue is as serviceable to self-interest as are real vices.