The best way to make ourselves agreeable to others is by seeming to think them so. If we appear fully sensible of their good qualities they will not complain of the want of them in us.

Taste is nothing but an enlarged capacity for receiving pleasure from works of imagination.

The only true retirement is that of the heart; the only true leisure is the repose of the passions. To such persons it makes little difference whether they are young or old; and they die as they have lived, with graceful resignation.

The rule for traveling abroad is to take our common sense with us, and leave our prejudices behind.

Friendship is cemented by interest, vanity, or the want of amusement; it seldom implies esteem, or even mutual regard.

Reflection makes men cowards.

Death puts an end to rivalship and competition. The dead can boast no advantage over us, nor can we triumph over them.