It may be said that the vices await us in the journey of life like hosts with whom we must successively lodge; and I doubt whether experience would make us avoid them if we were to travel the same road a second time.

Listening well and answering well is one of the greatest perfections that can be obtained in conversation.

Nature makes merit, and fortune puts it to work.

The soul's maladies have their relapses like the body's. What we take for a cure is often just a momentary rally or a new form of the disease.

It appears that nature has hid at the bottom of our hearts talents and abilities unknown to us. It is only the passions that have the power of bringing them to light, and sometimes give us views more true and more perfect than art could possibly do.

There is many a virtuous woman weary of her trade.

We should wish for few things with eagerness, if we perfectly knew the nature of that which was the object of our desire.