The true friend of truth and good loves them under all forms, but he loves them most under the most simple form.

True philosophy is that which renders us to ourselves, and all others who surround us, better, and at the same time more content, more patient, more calm and more ready for all decent and pure enjoyment.

Where pride begins, love ceases.

Those who speak always and those who never speak are equally unfit for friendship. A food proportion of the talent of listening and speaking is the base of social virtues.

Who forces himself on others is to himself a load. Impetuous curiosity is empty and inconstant. Prying intrusion may be suspected of whatever is little.

No communication or gift can exhaust genius or impoverish charity.

Each particle of matter is an immensity, each leaf a world, each insect an inexplicable compendium.