There are persons whose only merit consists in saying and doing stupid things at the right time, and who ruin all if they change their manners.

Great souls are not those who have fewer passions and more virtues than others, but only those who have greater designs.

In the presence of some people we inevitably depart From ourselves: we are inaccurate, we say things we do not feel, And talk nonsense. When we get home we are conscious that we Have made fools of ourselves. Never go near these people.

Commonplace minds usually condemn what is beyond the reach of their understanding.

We are eager to believe that others are flawed because we are eager to believe in what we wish for.

We never desire strongly, what we desire rationally.

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