The best way to rise in society is to use all possible means of persuading people that one has already risen in society.

Even the most disinterested love is, after all, but a kind of bargain, in which self-love always proposes to be the gainer one wayor another.

Without humility, we keep all our defects; and they are only crusted over by pride, which conceals them from others, and often from ourselves.

The reason why lovers are never bored together is that they are always talking of themselves.

A clever man reaps some benefit from the worst catastrophe, and a fool can turn even good luck to his disadvantage.

Moderation resembles temperance. We are not so unwilling to eat more, as afraid of doing ourselves harm by it.

Considering how little the beginning or the ceasing to love is in our own power, it is foolish and unreasonable for the lover or his mistress to complain of one another's inconstancy.