One seeks to make the loved one entirely happy, or, if that cannot be, entirely wretched.

Eloquence may be found in conversations and in all kinds of writings; it is rarely found when looked for, and sometimes discovered where it is least expected.

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

We seldom repent of speaking little, very often of speaking too much: a vulgar and trite maxim, which all the world knows and, but which all the world does not practice

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.

A heap of epithets is poor praise: the praise lies in the facts, and in the way of telling them.

Politeness makes one appear outwardly as they should be within.