Youth changes its tastes by the warmth of its blood; age retains its tastes by habit.

Nothing is rarer than true good nature; they who are reputed to have it are generally only pliant or weak.

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.

We are always bored by the very people by whom it is vital not to be bored.

Some people are like popular songs that you only sing for a short time.

The constancy of the wise is only the art of keeping disquietude to one's self.

Raillery is more insupportable than wrong; because we have a right to resent injuries, but are ridiculous in being angry at a jest.