There is no praise we have not lavished upon prudence; and yet she cannot assure to us the most trifling event.

The truest comparison we can make of love is to liken it to a fever; we have no more power over the one than the other, either as to its violence or duration.

There is at least as much eloquence in the voice, eyes, and air of a speaker as in his choice of words.

We often do shallow good in order to accomplish evil with impunity.

Happiness does not consist in things themselves but in the relish we have of them; and a man has attained it when he enjoys what he loves and desires himself, and not what other people think lovely and desirable.

Constancy in love is of two sorts: One is the effect of new excellencies that are always presenting themselves afresh, and attractour affections continually; the other is only from a point of honor, and a taking of pride not to change.

It is more difficult for a man to be faithful to his mistress when he is favored than when he is ill treated by her.