Society punishes not the vices of its members, but their detection.

Those can most easily dispense with society who are the most calculated to adorn it; they only are dependent on it who possess no mental resources, for though they bring nothing to the general mart, like beggars, they are too poor to stay at home.

Mountains appear more lofty the nearer they are approached, but great men resemble them not in this particular.

Spring is the season of hope, and autumn is that of memory.

To amend mankind, moralists should show them man, not as he is, but as he ought to be.

Flattery, if judiciously administered, is always acceptable.

Reason dissipates the illusions of life, but does not console us for their departure.