One mark of a second-rate mind is to be always telling stories.

There are certain things in which mediocrity is not to be endured, such as poetry, music, painting, public speaking.

We can recognize the dawn and the decline of love by the uneasiness we feel when alone together.

In art them is a point of perfection, as of goodness or maturity in nature; he who is able to perceive it, and who loves it, has perfect taste; he who does not feel it, or loves on this side or that, has an imperfect taste.

The passion of hatred is so long lived and so obstinate a malady that the surest sign of death in a sick person is their desire for reconciliation.

Piety with some people, but especially with women, is either a passion, or an infirmity of age, or a fashion which must be followed.

There are three great events in our lives: birth, life and death. Of birth we have no conscience; with death, we suffer; and, concerning life, we forget to live it.