Few things are impossible in themselves: application to make them succeed fails us more often than the means.

The most ingenious men continually pretend to condemn tricking--but this is often done that they may use it more conveniently themselves, when some great occasion or interest offers itself to them.

Envy is destroyed by true friendship, as coquetry by true love.

Before strongly desiring anything, we should look carefully into the happiness of its present owner.

The desire which urges us to deserve praise strengthens our good qualities, and praise given to wit, valour, and beauty, tends to increase them.

All who know their own minds know not their own hearts.

It is easy to be wise on behalf of others than to be so for ourselves.