The reason why most women have so little sense of friendship is that this is but a cold and flat passion to those that have felt that of love.

We always love those who admire us, but we do not always love those whom we admire.

It is the prerogative of great men only to have great defects.

The most clever and polite are content with only seeming attentive while we perceive in their mind and eyes that at the very time they are wandering from what is said and desire to return to what they want to say.

Moderation is represented as a virtue in order to restrain the ambition of great men, and to console those of a meaner condition in their lesser merit and fortune.

We frequently are troublesome to others, when we think it impossible for us ever to be so.

Whatever ignominy or disgrace we have incurred, it is almost always in our power to reestablish our reputation.