The only thing that should astonish us is that anything can yet astonish us.

To listen closely and reply well is the highest perfection we are able to attain in the art of conversation.

Philosophy finds it an easy matter to vanquish past and future evils, but the present are commonly too hard for it.

The boldest stroke and best act of friendship is not to disclose our own failings to a friend, but to show him his own.

Propriety is the least of all laws, and the most observed.

Bodily labor alleviates the pains of the mind and from this arises the happiness of the poor

It is with certain good qualities as with the senses; those who have them not can neither appreciate nor comprehend them in others.