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

In the human heart one generation of passions follows another; from the ashes of one springs the spark of the next.

The world more often rewards the appearances of merit than merit itself.

It often happens that things come into the mind in a more finished form than could have been achieved after much study.

Some crimes get honor and renown by being committed with more pomp, by a greater number, and in a higher degree of wickedness thanothers. Hence it is that public robberies, plunderings, and sackings have been looked upon as excellencies and noble achievements, and the seizing of whole countries, however unjustly and barbarously, is dignified with the glorious name of gaining conquests.

Constancy in love is a perpetual inconstancy which fixes our hearts successively to all the qualities of the person loved--sometimes admiring one and sometimes another above all the rest--so that this constancy roves as far as it can, and is no better than inconstancy, confined within the compass of one person.

It is as commendable to think well of oneself when alone, as it is ridiculous to speak well of oneself among others.