A clever man reaps some benefit from the worst catastrophe, and a fool can turn even good luck to his disadvantage.

If it requires great tact to speak to the purpose, it requires no less to know when to be silent.

What makes us so often discontented with those who transact business for us is that they almost always abandon the interest of their friends for the interest of the business, because they wish to have the honor of succeeding in that which they have undertaken.

It appears that nature has hid at the bottom of our hearts talents and abilities unknown to us. It is only the passions that have the power of bringing them to light, and sometimes give us views more true and more perfect than art could possibly do.

There are few people who would not be ashamed of being loved when they love no longer.

Nothing ought in reason to mortify our self-satisfaction more that the considering that we condemn at one time what we highly approve and commend at another.

Confidence in conversation has a greater share than wit.