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.

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

Those who occupy their minds with small matters, generally become incapable of greatness.

Few things are impossible in themselves: application to make them succeed fails us more often than the means.

The desire which urges us to deserve praise strengthens our good qualities, and praise given to wit, valour, and beauty, tends to increase them.

We give nothing so freely as advice.

The love of new acquaintance comes not so much from being weary of what we had before, or from any satisfaction there is in change, as from the distaste we feel in being too little admired by those that know us too well, and the hope of being more admired by those that know us less.