It is more difficult for a man to be faithful to his mistress when he is favored than when he is ill treated by her.

One can find women who have never had one love affair, but it is rare indeed to find any who have had only one.

Self-love increases or diminishes for us the good qualities of our friends, in proportion to the satisfaction we feel with them; and we judge of their merit by the manner in which they act towards us.

It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions only, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. Idleness, languid as it is, often masters them all; she influences all our designs and actions, and insensibly consumes and destroys both passions and virtues.

Ridicule dishonours more than dishonour.

Truth does not do as much good in the world as its imitations do harm.

Taste may change, but inclination never.