All our qualities, whether good or bad, are unstable and ambiguous, and almost all are at the mery of chance.

The principal point of cleverness is to know how to value things just as they deserve.

Hope is the last thing that dies in man; and though it be exceedingly deceitful, yet it is of this good use to us, that while we are traveling through life it conducts us in an easier and more pleasant way to our journey's end.

Sometimes a fool has talent, but never judgment.

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

Only strong natures can really be sweet ones; those that seem sweet are in general only weak, and may easily turn sour.

Some beautiful things are more dazzling when they are still imperfect than when they have been too perfectly crafted.