He who can wait for what he desires takes the course not to be exceedingly grieved if he fails of it; he, on the contrary, who labors after a thing too impatiently thinks the success when it comes is not a recompense equal to all the pains he has been at about it.

The Opera is obviously the first draft of a fine spectacle; it suggests the idea of one.

Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness.

The most exquisite pleasure is giving pleasure to others.

A modest man never talks of himself.

The fool only is troublesome. A plan of sense perceives when he is agreeable or tiresome; he disappears the very minute before he would have been thought to have stayed too long.

It is through madness that we hate an enemy, and think of revenging ourselves; and it is through indolence that we are appeased, and do not revenge ourselves.