If it be usual to be strongly impressed by things that are scarce, why are we so little impressed by virtue?

No man is so perfect, so necessary to his friends as to give them no cause to miss him less.

The generality of men expend the early part of their lives in contributing to render the latter part miserable.

We should keep silent about those in power; to speak well of them almost implies flattery; to speak ill of them while they are alive is dangerous, and when they are dead is cowardly.

If this life is unhappy, it is a burden to us, which it is difficult to bear; if it is in every respect happy, it is dreadful to be deprived of it; so that in either case the result is the same, for we must exist in anxiety and apprehension.

The great charm of conversation consists less in the display of one's own wit and intelligence than in the power to draw forth the resources of others.

The finest pleasure is kindness to others.