Every one complains of a poor memory, no one of a weak judgment.

Men frequently do good only to give themselves opportunity of doing ill with impunity.

The most clever and polite are content with only seeming attentive while we perceive in their mind and eyes that at the very time they are wandering from what is said and desire to return to what they want to say.

Men would not live in society long if they were not each others dupes.

Great men's honor ought always to be measured by the methods they made use of in attaining it.

If one judges love according to the greatest part of the effects it produces, it would appear to resemble rather hatred than kindness.

Praise is a more ingenious, concealed, and subtle kind of flattery, that satisfies both the giver and the receiver, though by verydifferent ways. The one accepts it as a reward due to his merit; the other gives it that he may be looked upon as a just and discerning person.