Because one has little fear of shocking vanity in Italy, people adopt an intimate tone very quickly and discuss personal things.
StendhalThe more a race is governed by its passions, the less it has acquired the habit of cautious and reasoned argument, the more intense will be its love of music.
StendhalGreat ladies are no more spiteful than the average rich woman; but one acquires in their society a greater susceptibility, and feels more profoundly andmore irremediably, their unpleasant remarks.
Stendhal