I dislike clocks with second-hands; they cut up life into too small pieces.

long journeys are strange things: if we were always to continue in the same mind we are in at the end of a journey, we should never stir from the place we were then in: but Providence in kindness to us causes us to forget it. It is much the same with lying-in women. Heaven permits this forgetfulness that the world may be peopled, and that folks may take journeys to Provence.

If we could have a little patience, we should escape much mortification; time takes away as much as it gives.

We are so fond of hearing ourselves spoken of, that, be it good or ill, it is still pleasing.

If you are not feeling well, if you have not slept, chocolate will revive you. But you have no chocolate! I think of that again and again! My dear, how will you ever manage?

When I step into this library, I cannot understand why I ever step out of it.

We like so much to hear people talk of us and of our motives, that we are charmed even when they abuse us.