We often see malefactors, when they are led to execution, put on resolution and a contempt of death which, in truth, is nothing else but fearing to look it in the face--so that this pretended bravery may very truly be said to do the same good office to their mind that the blindfold does to their eyes.

The common foible of women who have been handsome is to forget that they are no longer so.

Every one complains of a poor memory, no one of a weak judgment.

Happiness is in the taste, and not in the things themselves; we are happy from possessing what we like, not from possessing what others like.

Most people know no other way of judging men's worth but by the vogue they are in, or the fortunes they have met with.

There are bad people who would be less dangerous if they were quite devoid of goodness.

There are two things which Man cannot look at directly without flinching: the sun and death.