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.

Ridicule, which chiefly arises from pride, a selfish passion, is but at best a gross pleasure, too rough an entertainment for those who are highly polished and refined.

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

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

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.

Whoever appears to have much cunning has in reality very little; being deficient in the essential article, which is, to hide cunning.