It is worth nothing to be young without being beautiful, nor to be beautiful without being young.

There are reproaches which praise, and praises which defame.

There may be talent without position, but there is no position without some kind of talent.

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

Numberless arts appear foolish whose secret motives are most wise and weighty.

It is only persons of firmness that can have real gentleness. Those who appear gentle are, in general, only a weak character, which easily changes into asperity.

When a man is in love, he doubts, very often, what he most firmly believes.