Truth is the foundation and the reason of the perfection of beauty, for of whatever stature a thing may be, it cannot be beautiful-and perfect, unless it be truly what it should be, and possess truly all that it should have.
The only thing that should astonish us is that anything can yet astonish us.
It is difficult to like those whom we do not esteem; but it is no less so to like those whom we esteem more than ourselves.
People would not long remain in social life if they were not the dupes of each other.
Reason alone is insufficient to make us enthusiastic in any matter.
There are very few things impossible in themselves; and we do not want means to conquer difficulties so much as application and resolution in the use of means.
It is often merely for an excuse that we say things are impossible.
Though nature be ever so generous, yet can she not make a hero alone. Fortune must contribute her part too; and till both concur, the work cannot be perfected.
Most people know no other way of judging men's worth but by the vogue they are in, or the fortunes they have met with.
To awaken a man who is deceived as to his own merit is to do him as bad a turn as that done to the Athenian madman who was happy in believing that all the ships touching at the port belonged to him.
Never give anyone the advice to buy or sell shares, because the most benevolent price of advice can turn out badly.
Flattery is a base coin which is current only through our vanity.
There are reproaches which praise, and praises which defame.
There are very few people who are not ashamed of having been in love when they no longer love each other.
What we take for virtue is often nothing but an assemblage of different actions, and of different interests, that fortune or our industry knows how to arrange.
However wicked men may be, they do not dare openly to appear the enemies of virtue, and when they desire to persecute her they either pretend to believe her false or attribute crimes to her.
Time's chariot-wheels make their carriage-road in the fairest face.
Novelty is to love like bloom to fruit; it gives a luster which is easily effaced, but never returns.
It is easier to deceive yourself, and to do so unperceived, than to deceive another.
Fortune cures us of many faults that reason could not.
The prospect of being pleased tomorrow will never console me for the boredom of today.
As we grow older we grow both more foolish and wiser at the same time.
No man can love a second time the person whom he has once truly ceased to love.
A wise man should order his interests, and set them all in their proper places. This order is often troubled by greed, which putsus upon pursuing so many things at once that, in eagerness for matters of less consideration, we grasp at trifles, and let go things of greater value.
One should treat one's fate as one does one's health; enjoy it when it is good, be patient with it when it is poor, and never attempt any drastic cure save as an ultimate resort.
