Minds of moderate caliber ordinarily condemn everthing which is beyond their range.

It is only persons of firmness that can have real gentleness. Those who appear gentle are, in general, only a weak character, which easily changes into asperity.

Idleness and constancy fix the mind to what it finds easy and agreeable. This habit always confines and cramps up our knowledge; and no one has ever taken the trouble to stretch and carry his understanding as far as it could go.

Affected simplicity is an elegant imposture.

We do not despise all those who have vices, but we do despise those that have no virtue.

You are never so easily fooled as when trying to fool someone else.

True friendship destroys envy, and true love destroys coquetterie.