The sicknesses of the soul have their ups and downs like those of the body; what we take to be a cure is most often merely a respite or change of disease.

In the human heart there is a ceaseless birth of passions, so that the destruction of one is almost always the establishment of another.

Moderation is an ostentatious proof of our strength of character.

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

As love increases, prudence diminishes.

There are bad people who would be less dangerous if they were quite devoid of goodness.

The more one loves a mistress, the more one is ready to hate her.