Others form man; I tell of him, and portray a particular one, very ill-formed, whom I should really make very different from whathe is if I had to fashion him over again. But now it is done.

Natural inclinations are assisted and reinforced by education, but they are hardly ever altered or overcome.

Arts and sciences are not cast in a mould, but are found and perfected by degrees, by often handling and polishing.

The truth of these days is not that which really is, but what every man persuades another man to believe.

We ought to love temperance for itself, and in obedience to God who has commanded it and chastity; but what I am forced to by catarrhs, or owe to the stone, is neither chastity nor temperance.

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.

There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state.