Fortune converts everything to the advantage of her favorites.

There are no accidents so unlucky from which clever people are not able to reap some advantage, and none so lucky that the foolish are not able to turn them to their own disadvantage.

Pity is a sense of our own misfortunes in those of another man; it is a sort of foresight of the disasters which may befall ourselves. We assist others,, in order that they may assist us on like occasions; so that the services we offer to the unfortunate are in reality so many anticipated kindnesses to ourselves.

There is such a thing as a general revolution which changes the taste of men as it changes the fortunes of the world.

Absence cools moderate passions, and inflames violent ones; just as the wind blows out candles, but kindles fires.

Quarrels would not last long if the fault was only on one side.

Love, all agreeable as it is, charms more by the fashion in which it displays itself, than by its own true merit.