A lady could not boast of her chastity who was never tempted.

Tis well for old age that it is always accompanied with want of perception, ignorance, and a facility of being deceived. For should we see how we are used and would not acquiesce, what would become of us?

The secret counsels of princes are a troublesome burden to such as have only to execute them.

Tis faith alone that vividly and certainly comprehends the deep mysteries of our religion.

I honor most those to whom I show least honor; and where my soul moves with great alacrity, I forget the proper steps of ceremony.

Each person calls barbarism whatever is not his or her own practice.... We may call Cannibals barbarians, in respect to the rulesof reason, but not in respect to ourselves, who surpass them in every kind of barbarity.

And obstinacy is the sister of constancy, at least in vigour and stability.