What we call generosity is for the most part only the vanity of giving; and we exercise it because we are more fond of that vanity than of the thing we give.

We always love those who admire us, but we do not always love those whom we admire.

We seldom find any person of good sense, except those who share our opinions.

L'absence diminue les mediocres passions, et augmente les grandes,comme le vent eteint les bougies, et allume le feu. Absence diminishes commonplace passions, and increases great ones, as wind extinguishes candles and kindles fire.

The head does not know how to play the part of the heart for long.

Perfect Valor is to do, without a witness, all that we could do before the whole world.

How can we expect another to keep our secret if we have been unable to keep it ourselves?