When we enlarge upon the affection our friends have for us, this is very often not so much out of a sense of gratitude as from a desire to persuade people of our own great worth, that can deserve so much kindness.

In the misfortunes of our best friends we always find something not altogether displeasing to us.

Love has its name borrowed by a great number of dealings and affairs that are attributed to it--in which it has no greater part than the Doge in what is done at Venice.

Some people are so extremely whiffling and inconsiderable that they are as far from any real faults as from substantial virtues.

If it were not for the company of fools, a witty man would often be greatly at a loss.

Taste may change, but inclination never.

There are some faults which, when well managed, make a greater figure than virtue itself.