We often persuade ourselves to love people who are more powerful than we are, yet interest alone produces our friendship; we do not give our hearts away for the good we wish to do, but for that we expect to receive.

The smallest fault of women who give themselves up to love is to love.

Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on.

The happiness and misery of men depend no less on temper than fortune.

When fortune surprises us by giving us some great office without having gradually led us to expect it, or without having raised our hopes, it is well nigh impossible to occupy it well, and to appear worthy to fill it.

There are some people who would never have fallen in love if they had not heard there was such a thing.

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