The tranquility or agitation of our temper does not depend so much on the big things which happen to us in life, as on the pleasant or unpleasant arrangements of the little things which happen daily.

Constancy in love is a perpetual inconstancy which fixes our hearts successively to all the qualities of the person loved--sometimes admiring one and sometimes another above all the rest--so that this constancy roves as far as it can, and is no better than inconstancy, confined within the compass of one person.

Gallantry of mind consists in saying flattering things in an agreeable manner.

We are so used to dissembling with others that in time we come to deceive and dissemble with ourselves.

Sometimes, occasions occur in life which demand you to be a little foolish in order to skillfully extricate yourself.

Almost everyone takes pleasure in repaying trifling obligations, very many feel gratitude for those that are moderate; but there is scarcely anyone who is not ungrateful for those that are weighty.

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