Like a rustic at a fair, we are full of amazement and rapture, and have no thought of going home, or that it will soon be night.

A man who does not endeavour to seem more than he is will generally be thought nothing of. We habitually make such large deductions for pretence and imposture that no real merit will stand against them. It is necessary to set off our good qualities with a certain air of plausibility and self-importance, as some attention to fashion is necessary.

The most violent friendships soonest wear themselves out.

The art of life is to know how to enjoy a little and to endure very much.

No one ever approaches perfection except by stealth, and unknown to themselves.

Tears may be considered as the natural and involuntary resource of the mind overcome by some sudden and violent emotion, before ithas had time to reconcile its feelings to the change in circumstances: while laughter may be defined to be the same sort of convulsive and involuntary movement, occasioned by mere sur prise or contrast (in the absence of any more serious emotion), before it has time to reconcile its belief to contradictory appearances.

A strong passion for any object will ensure success, for the desire of the end will point out the means.