Doubts are more cruel than the worst of truths. It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do. A lover whose passion is extreme loves even the faults of the beloved

Deference and intimacy live far apart.

Perfect good sense shuns all extremity, content to couple wisdom with sobriety.

Esteem must be founded on preference: to hold everyone in high esteem is to esteem nothing.

It may cost me twenty thousand francs; but for twenty thousand francs, I will have the right to rail against the iniquity of humanity, and to devote to it my eternal hatred.

Too great haste leads us to error.

One ought to look a good deal at oneself before thinking of condemning others.