No man deserves to be praised for his goodness, who has it not in his power to be wicked. Goodness without that power is generally nothing more than sloth, or an impotence of will.

The happiness and misery of men depend no less on temper than fortune.

To listen closely and reply well is the highest perfection we are able to attain in the art of conversation.

What makes lovers never tire of one another is that they talk always about themselves.

Praise is a more ingenious, concealed, and subtle kind of flattery, that satisfies both the giver and the receiver, though by verydifferent ways. The one accepts it as a reward due to his merit; the other gives it that he may be looked upon as a just and discerning person.

Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.

The reason that lovers never weary each other is because they are always talking about themselves.