A mediocre mind thinks it writes divinely; a good mind thinks it writes reasonably.

Politeness makes one appear outwardly as they should be within.

There are only three events in a man's life; birth, life, and death; he is not conscious of being born, he dies in pain, and he forgets to live.

A prince wants only the pleasure of private life to complete his happiness.

Discretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life; cunning is a kind of instinct, that only looks out after our immediate interests and welfare. Discretion is only found in men of strong sense and good understanding; cunning is often to be met with in brutes themselves, and in persons who are but the fewest removes from them.

The great gift of conversation lies less in displaying it ourselves than in drawing it out of others. He who leaves your company pleased with himself and his own cleverness is perfectly well pleased with you.

There is as much trickery required to grow rich by a stupid book as there is folly in buying it.