We are forced to respect the gifts of nature, which study and fortune cannot give.

Vice foments war; it is virtue which actually fights. If there were no virtue, we would live in peace forever.

The art of pleasing is the art of deception.

Few maxims are true in every respect.

It is of no use to possess a lively wit if it is not of the right proportion: the perfection of a clock is not to go fast, but to be accurate.

Persons of rank do not talk about such trifles as the common people do; but the common people do not busy themselves about such frivolous things as do persons of rank.

We are almost always guilty of the hate we encounter.