It is from a weakness and smallness of mind that men are opinionated; and we are very loath to believe what we are not able to comprehend.

In order to succeed in the world people do their upmost to appear successful.

It is a species of coquetry to make a parade of never practising it.

The health of the soul is something we can be no more sure of than that of the body; and though a man may seem far from the passions, yet he is in as much danger of falling into them as one in a perfect state of health of having a fit of sickness.

We love everything on our own account; we even follow our own taste and inclination when we prefer our friends to ourselves; and yet it is this preference alone that constitutes true and perfect friendship.

To listen closely and reply well is the highest perfection we are able to attain in the art of conversation.

A man often believes himself leader when he is led; as his mind endeavors to reach one goal, his heart insensibly drags him towards another.