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.

The contempt of riches in philosophers was only a hidden desire to avenge their merit upon the injustice of fortune, by despising the very goods of which fortune had deprived them; it was a secret to guard themselves against the degradation of poverty, it was a back way by which to arrive at that distinction which they could not gain by riches.

Women can more easily conquer their passion than their coquetterie.

Good taste comes more from the judgment than from the mind.

They that apply themselves to trifling matters commonly become incapable of great ones.

There are people who in spite of their merit disgust us and others who please us in spite of their faults.

True friendship destroys envy, and true love destroys coquetterie.