There is nothing men are so generous of as advice.

Politeness is a desire to be treated politely, and to be esteemed polite oneself.

He who refuses praise the first time that it is offered does so because he would hear it a second time.

It is far better to be deceived than undeceived by those whom we tenderly love.

The reason we do not let our friends see the very bottom of our hearts is not so much distrust of them as distrust of ourselves.

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.

Our wisdom lies as much at the mercy of fortune as our possessions do.