In infants, levity is a prettiness; in men a shameful defect; but in old age, a monstrous folly.

The generality of friends puts us out of conceit with friendship; just as the generality of religious people puts us out of conceit with religion.

Virtue is to the soul what health is tot he body.

There are very few things impossible in themselves; and we do not want means to conquer difficulties so much as application and resolution in the use of means.

We do not despise all those who have vices, but we do despise those that have no virtue.

We do not praise others, ordinarily, but in order to be praised ourselves.

In their early passions women are in love with the lover, later they are in love with love.