The egoist does not tolerate egoism.

Solitude vivifies, isolation kills.

The vital air of friendship is composed of confidence. Friendship perishes in proportion as this air diminishes.

There are people who laugh to show their fine teeth; and there are those who cry to show their good hearts.

It is a very rare thing for a man of talent to succeed by his talent.

Like those statues which must be made larger than "nature" in order that, viewed from below, or from a distance, they may appear to be of the "natural" size, certain truths must be "strained" in order that the public may form a just idea of them.

What is love? two souls and one flesh; friendship? two bodies and one soul.