It is difficult to like those whom we do not esteem; but it is no less so to like those whom we esteem more than ourselves.

What makes lovers never tire of one another is that they talk always about themselves.

It is easier to fall in love when you are out of it than to get out of it when you are in.

Loyalty is in most people only a ruse used by self-interest to attract confidence.

Our actions seem to have their lucky and unlucky stars, to which a great part of that blame and that commendation is due which is given to the actions themselves.

The man that thinks he loves his mistress for her own sake is mightily mistaken.

Moderation is caused by the fear of exciting the envy and contempt which those merit who are intoxicated with their good fortune; it is a vain display of our strength of mind, and in short the moderation of men at their greatest height is only a desire to appear greater than their fortune.