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

Those that have had great passions esteem themselves for the rest of their lives fortunate and unfortunate in being cured of them.

It is not expedient or wise to examine our friends too closely; few persons are raised in our esteem by a close examination.

The height of ability consists in a thorough knowledge of the real value of things, and of the genius of the age in which we live.

The grace of novelty and the length of habit, though so very opposite to one another, yet agree in this, that they both alike keepus from discovering the faults of our friends.

To know oneself is not necessarily to improve oneself

The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.