Beauty is a dangerous property, tending to corrupt the mind of the wife, though it soon loses its influence over the husband. A figure agreeable and engaging, which inspires affection, without the ebriety of love, is a much safer choice.

Custom is the great leveller. It corrects the inequality of fortune by lessening equally the pleasures of the prince and the pains of the peasant.

When you descant on the faults of others, consider whether you be not guilty of the same. To gain knowledge of ourselves, the best way is to convert the imperfections of others into a mirror for discovering our own.

The truly generous is the truly wise, and he who loves not others lives unblest!

A great mind will neither give an affront nor bear it.

Beauty loses its relish; the graces never.

Luxury possibly may contribute to give bread to the poor; but if there were no luxury, there would be no poor.