Some reproaches praise; some praises reproach.

Truth is the foundation and the reason of the perfection of beauty, for of whatever stature a thing may be, it cannot be beautiful-and perfect, unless it be truly what it should be, and possess truly all that it should have.

We are almost always bored by just those whom we must not find boring.

What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given.

Nothing should lessen our satisfaction with ourselves as much as when we notice that we disapprove of something at one time that we approve of at another time.

Almost everyone takes pleasure in repaying trifling obligations, very many feel gratitude for those that are moderate; but there is scarcely anyone who is not ungrateful for those that are weighty.

Our enemies' opinion of us comes closer to the truth than our own.