Men are guided less by conscience than by glory; and yet the shortest way to glory is to be guided by conscience.

Violent passions are formed in solitude. In the busy world no object has time to make a deep impression.

Emotions are raised in us, not only by the qualities and actions of others, but also by their feelings. I cannot behold a man in distress, without partaking of his pain; nor in joy, without partaking of his pleasure.

The mind is never more highly gratified than in contemplating a natural landscape.

An agreeable figure and winning manner, which inspire affection without love, are always new. Beauty loses its relish, the graces never, after the longest acquaintance, they are no less agreeable than at first.

An infallible way to make your child miserable is to satisfy all his demands.

We part more easily with what we possess, than with our expectations of what we wish for; because expectation always goes beyond enjoyment.