Love is like playing the piano. First you must learn to play by the rules, then you must forget the rules and play from your heart. If I were pressed to say why I loved him, I feel that my only reply could be: Because it was he, because it was I.

Books are pleasant, but if by being over-studious we impair our health and spoil our good humour, two of the best things we have, let us give it over. I, for my part, am one of those who think no fruit derived from them can recompense so great a loss.

If I were a maker of books I should compile a register, with comments, of different deaths. He who should teach people to die, would teach them to live.

It is very easy to accuse a government of imperfection, for all mortal things are full of it.

Since I would rather make of him an able man than a learned man, I would also urge that care be taken to choose a guide with a well-made rather than a well-filled head.

Kings and philosophers defecate, and so do ladies.

I do not understand; I pause; I examine.