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 are two sorts of constancy in love one arises from continually discovering in the loved person new subjects for love, the other arises from our making a merit of being constant.

Sometimes we think we dislike flattery, but it is only the way it is done that we dislike.

The generality of men have, like plants, latent properties, which chance brings to light.

The generality of friends puts us out of conceit with friendship; just as the generality of religious people puts us out of conceit with religion.

Our actions seem to have their lucky and unlucky stars, to which a great part of that blame and that commendation is due which is given to the actions themselves.

As it is the characteristic of great wits to say much in few words, so small wits seem to have the gift of speaking much and saying nothing.