Those who are formed to win general admiration are seldom calculated to bestow individual happiness.

Wit is the lightning of the mind, reason the sunshine, and reflection the moonlight.

Thoughts come maimed and plucked of plumage from the lips, which, from the pea, in the silence of your own leisure and study, would be born with far more beauty.

I see little alteration at Lyons since I formerly passed through it. Its manufactories are, nevertheless, flourishing, though less improvement than could be expected is visible in the external aspect of the place.

Borrowed thoughts, like borrowed money, only show the poverty of the borrower.

You were wise not to waste years in a lawsuit ... he who commences a suit resembles him who plants a palm-tree which he will not live to see flourish.

Our weaknesses are the indigenous produce of our characters; but our strength is the forced fruit.