Second-rate minds usually condemn everything beyond their grasp.

Every one speaks well of his own heart, but no one dares speak well of his own mind.

How deceitful hope may be, yet she carries us on pleasantly to the end of life.

Women can less easily surmount their coquetry than their passions.

Nothing prevents one from appearing natural as the desire to appear natural.

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.

Love of glory, fear of shame, greed for fortune, the desire to make life agreeable and comfortable, and the wish to depreciate others - all of these are often the causes of the bravery that is spoken so highly of by men.