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.

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

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

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.

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.

The coward reckons himself cautious, the miser frugal.

Beauty loses its relish; the graces never.