When fortune surprises us by giving us some great office without having gradually led us to expect it, or without having raised our hopes, it is well nigh impossible to occupy it well, and to appear worthy to fill it.

It is harder to hide the feelings we have than to feign the ones we do not have.

We often brag that we are never bored with ourselves, and are so vain as never to think ourselves bad company.

Love often leads on to ambition, but seldom does one return from ambition to love.

When the soul is ruffled by the remains of one passion, it is more disposed to entertain a new one than when it is entirely curedand at rest from all.

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

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