Numberless arts appear foolish whose secret motives are most wise and weighty.

There is a sort of love whose very excessiveness prevents the lover's being jealous.

It is almost always a fault of one who loves not to realize when he ceases to be loved.

Those great and glorious actions that dazzle our eyes with their luster are represented by statesmen as the result of great wisdomand excellent design; whereas, in truth, they are commonly the effects of the humors and passions.

The temperament that produces a talent for little things is the opposite of that required for great ones.

Sincerity is a certain openness of heart. It is to be found in very few, and what we commonly look upon to be so is only a cunningsort of dissimulation, to insinuate ourselves into the confidence of others.

A man of understanding finds less difficulty in submitting to a wrong-headed fellow, than in attempting to set him right.