There are more defects in temperament than in the mind.

The desire of appearing clever often prevents our becoming so.

Idiots and lunatics see only their own wit.

The force we use on ourselves, to prevent ourselves from loving, is often more cruel than the severest treatment at the hands of one loved.

Envy is more irreconcilable than hatred.

To awaken a man who is deceived as to his own merit is to do him as bad a turn as that done to the Athenian madman who was happy in believing that all the ships touching at the port belonged to him.

Women can more easily conquer their passion than their coquetterie.