The hours of a wise man are lengthened by his ideas, as those of a fool are by his passions. The time of the one is long, because he does not know what to do with it; so is that of the other, because he distinguishes every moment of it with useful or amusing thoughts--or, in other words, because the one is always wishing it away, and the other always enjoying it.

There is nothing touches our imagination so much as a beautiful woman in a plain dress.

The friendships of the world are oft confederacies in vice, or leagues of pleasures.

Wine displays every little spot of the soul in its utmost deformity.

Marriage enlarges the scene of our happiness and miseries. A marriage of love is pleasant; a marriage of interest, easy; and a marriage where both meet, happy. A happy marriage has in it all the pleasures of friendship, all the enjoyments of sense and reason, and, indeed, all the sweets of life.

A true critic ought to dwell rather upon excellencies than imperfections

What can that man fear who takes care to please a Being that is able to crush all his adversaries?