From time to time there appear on the face of the earth men of rare and consummate excellence, who dazzle us by their virtue, and whose outstanding qualities shed a stupendous light. Like those extraordinary stars of whose origins we are ignorant, and of whose fate, once they have vanished, we know even less, such men have neither forebears nor descendants: they are the whole of their race.

The court is like a palace of marble; it's composed of people very hard and very polished.

A vain man finds it wise to speak good or ill of himself; a modest man does not talk of himself.

We should laugh before being happy, for fear of dying without having laughed.

The wise person often shuns society for fear of being bored.

A man of moderate Understanding, thinks he writes divinely: A man of good Understanding, thinks he writes reasonably.

It is virtue which should determine us in the choice of our friends, without inquiring into their good or evil fortune.