High birth is a gift of fortune which should never challenge esteem towards those who receive it, since it costs them neither study nor labor.

Foolish jokers are thick on the ground, and it rains insects of that sort everywhere. A good joker is a rarity; even a man who is such by nature finds it hard to sustain the part for long; it seldom happens that the man who makes us laugh wins our esteem.

A modest man never talks of himself.

When what you read elevates your mind and fills you with noble aspirations, look for no other rule by which to judge a book; it is good, and is the work of a master-hand.

The sweetest of all sounds is that of the voice of the woman we love.

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

It's motive alone which gives character to the actions of men.