Genius inspires this thirst for fame: there is no blessing undesired by those to whom Heaven gave the means of winning it.

Politeness is the art of choosing among your thoughts.

Wit lies in recognizing the resemblance among things which differ and the difference between things which are alike.

[To Bonaparte, when asked why she meddled in politics:] Sire, when women have their heads cut off, it is but just they should know the reason.

[On Italian:] One may almost call it a language that talks of itself, and always seems more witty than its speakers.

Anyone who can see as far as tomorrow in politics arouses the wrath of people who can see no farther than today.

The mind may be exhausted, but the language of the heart is inexhaustible.