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.

We never deceive for a good purpose: knavery adds malice to falsehood.

The Great slight the men of wit, who have nothing but wit; the men of wit despise the Great, who have nothing but greatness; the good man pities them both, if with greatness or wit they have not virtue.

Born merely for the purpose of digestion.

It is easier to enrich ourselves with a thousand virtues, than to correct ourselves of a single fault.

If men wish to be held in esteem, they must associate with those only who are estimable.

We perceive when love begins and when it declines by our embarrassment when alone together.