The most certain mode of making people content with us is to make them content with themselves.

In France, a woman may forget that she is neither young nor handsome; for the absence of these claims to attention does not expose her to be neglected by the male sex.

Mediocrity is beneath a brave soul.

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.

Conversation is the legs on which thought walks; and writing, the wings by which it flies.

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

There are no persons capable of stooping so low as those who desire to rise in the world.