We often pride ourselves on even the most criminal passions, but envy is a timid and shamefaced passion we never dare to acknowledge.

Passion makes idiots of the cleverest men, and makes the biggest idiots clever.

There are some bad qualities which make great talents.

Gallantry of mind consists in saying flattering things in an agreeable manner.

Of all our faults, the one we avow most easily is idleness; we persuade ourselves that it is allied to all the peaceable virtues,and as for the others, that it does not destroy them utterly, but only suspends the exercise of their functions.

Politeness of mind consists in thinking chaste and refined thoughts.

Some beautiful things are more dazzling when they are still imperfect than when they have been too perfectly crafted.