Satire is at once the most agreeable and most dangerous of mental qualities. It always pleases when it is refined, but we always fear those who use it too much; yet satire should be allowed when unmixed with spite, and when the person satirized can join in the satire.
Everyone agrees that a secret should be kept intact, but everyone does not agree as to the nature and importance of secrecy. Too often we consult ourselves as to what we should say, what we should leave unsaid. There are few permanent secrets, and the scruple against revealing them will not last forever.
That which makes the vanity of others unbearable to us is that which wounds our own.
Tis more dishonourable to distrust a friend than to be deceived by him.
Misers mistake gold for their good; whereas 'tis only a means of attaining it.
There are some disguised falsehoods so like truths, that 'twould be to judge ill not to be deceived by them.
We bear, all of us, the misfortunes of other people with heroic constancy.
Not all who discharge their debts of gratitude should flatter themselves that they are grateful.
Of all the violent passions, the one that becomes a woman best is love.
There is a kind of love, the excess of which forbids jealousy.
Youth changes its tastes by the warmth of its blood; age retains its tastes by habit.
Jealousy lives upon doubts. It becomes madness or ceases entirely as soon as we pass from doubt to certainty.
Gratitude is a useless word. You will find it in a dictionary but not in life.
Reconciliation with our enemies is simply a desire to better our condition, a weariness of war, or the fear of some unlucky thing from occurring.
The only good imitations are those that poke fun at bad originals.
The art of using moderate abilities to advantage often brings greater results than actual brilliance
It is difficult to define love; all we can say is, that in the soul it is a desire to rule, in the mind it is a sympathy, and in the body it is a hidden and delicate wish to possess what we love-Plus many mysteries.
It is as commendable to think well of oneself when alone, as it is ridiculous to speak well of oneself among others.
If vanity does not entirely overthrow the virtues, at least it makes them all totter.
Though confidence is very fine, and makes the future sunny; I want no confidence for mine, I'd rather have the money
To praise great actions with sincerity may be said to be taking part in them.
Avarice is more opposite to economy than liberality.
The generality of men have, like plants, latent properties, which chance brings to light.
Clemency, which we make a virtue of, proceeds sometimes from vanity, sometimes from indolence, often from fear, and almost always from a mixture of all three.
For the credit of virtue we must admit that the greatest misfortunes of men are those into which they fall through their crimes.
