The noblest deeds are well enough set forth in simple language; emphasis spoils them.

How much wit, good-nature, indulgences, how many good offices and civilities, are required among friends to accomplish in some years what a lovely face or a fine hand does in a minute!

There are three great events in our lives: birth, life and death. Of birth we have no conscience; with death, we suffer; and, concerning life, we forget to live it.

If our life is unhappy it is painful to bear; if it is happy it is horrible to lose, So the one is pretty equal to the other.

As riches and honor forsake a man, we discover him to be a fool, but nobody could find it out in his prosperity.

A coxcomb is the blockhead's man of merit.

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