It seems to be remarkable that death increases our veneration for the good, and extenuates our hatred for the bad.

In a man's letters you know, Madam, his soul lies naked, his letters are only the mirror of his breast, whatever passes within him is shown undisguised in its natural process. Nothing is inverted, nothing distorted, you see systems in their elements, you discover actions in their motives.

There are in every age new errors to be rectified and new prejudices to be opposed.

No weakness of the human mind has more frequently incurred animadversion, than the negligence with which men overlook their own faults, however flagrant, and the easiness with which they pardon them, however frequently repeated.

Prudence operates on life in the same manner as rule of composition; it produces vigilance rather than elevation; rather prevents loss than procures advantage; and often miscarriages, but seldom reaches either power or honor.

Ignorance, madam, pure ignorance.

Bashfulness may sometimes exclude pleasure, but seldom opens any avenue to sorrow or remorse.