I am told so many ill things of a man, and I see so few in him, that I begin to suspect he has a real but troublesome merit, as being likely to eclipse that of others.

We wish to constitute all the happiness, or, if that cannot be, the misery of the one we love.

The pleasure we feel in criticizing robs us from being moved by very beautiful things.

A vain man finds it wise to speak good or ill of himself; a modest man does not talk of himself.

It is in vain to ridicule a rich fool, for the laughers will be on his side.

At the beginning and at the end of love, the two lovers are embarrassed to find themselves alone.

Laziness begat wearisomeness, and this put men in quest of diversions, play and company, on which however it is a constant attendant; he who works hard, has enough to do with himself otherwise.