Novelty is to love like bloom to fruit; it gives a luster which is easily effaced, but never returns.

We only acknowledge small faults in order to make it appear that we are free from great ones.

It is worth nothing to be young without being beautiful, nor to be beautiful without being young.

Everyone agrees that a secret should be kept intact, but everyone does not agree as to the nature and importance of secrecy. Too often we consult ourselves as to what we should say, what we should leave unsaid. There are few permanent secrets, and the scruple against revealing them will not last forever.

There is no better proof of a man's being truly good than his desiring to be constantly under the observation of good men.

Our aversion to lying is commonly a secret ambition to make what we say considerable, and have every word received with a religious respect.

Moderation is represented as a virtue in order to restrain the ambition of great men, and to console those of a meaner condition in their lesser merit and fortune.