Men never desire anything very eagerly which they desire only by the dictates of reason.

We should only affect compassion, and carefully avoid having any.

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.

Neither love nor fire can subsist without perpetual motion; both cease to live so soon as they cease to hope, or to fear.

Simplicity is a delicate imposition.

When a man must force himself to be faithful in his love, this is hardly better than unfaithfulness.

Some beautiful things are more dazzling when they are still imperfect than when they have been too perfectly crafted.