We would rather see those to whom we do good, than those who do good to us.

If it were not for the company of fools, a witty man would often be greatly at a loss.

In friendship, as in love, we are often more happy from the things we are ignorant of than from those we are acquainted with.

Most men, like plants, possess hidden qualities which chance discovers.

Gratitude is like the good faith of traders: it maintains commerce, and we often pay, not because it is just to discharge our debts, but that we may more readily find people to trust us.

It seems that nature, which has so wisely disposed our bodily organs with a view to our happiness, has also bestowed on us pride, to spare us the pain of being aware of our imperfections.

We give nothing so freely as advice.