That which makes the vanity of others unbearable to us is that which wounds our own.

In the presence of some people we inevitably depart From ourselves: we are inaccurate, we say things we do not feel, And talk nonsense. When we get home we are conscious that we Have made fools of ourselves. Never go near these people.

Nothing is so contagious as example; never was there any considerable good or ill done that does not produce its like. We imitate good actions through emulation, and had ones through a malignity in our nature, which shame conceals, and example sets at liberty.

No one thinks fortune so blind as those she has been least kind to.

Why can we remember the tiniest detail that has happened to us, and not remember how many times we have told it to the same person.

It seems that nature, which has so wisely disposed our bodily organs with a view to our happiness, has also bestowed on us pride, to spare us the pain of being aware of our imperfections.

Some beautiful things are more dazzling when they are still imperfect than when they have been too perfectly crafted.