To praise princes for virtues they do not possess is to insult them without fear of consequences.

The temperament that produces a talent for little things is the opposite of that required for great ones.

It is impossible to love a second time what we have really ceased to love.

We are never so ridiculous through what we are as through what we pretend to be.

It is difficult to define love; all we can say is, that in the soul it is a desire to rule, in the mind it is a sympathy, and in the body it is a hidden and delicate wish to possess what we love-Plus many mysteries.

Whilst weakness and timidity keep us to our duty, virtue has often all the honor.

The desire to seem clever often keeps us from being so.