Piety with some people, but especially with women, is either a passion, or an infirmity of age, or a fashion which must be followed.
If some persons died, and others did not die, death would be a terrible affliction.
Even the best intentioned of great men need a few scoundrels around them; there are some things you cannot ask an honest ma to do.
Poverty may be the mother of crime, but lack of good sense is the father.
The fear of old age disturbs us, yet we are not certain of becoming old.
A man must have very eminent qualities to hold his own without being polite.
Love receives its death-wound from aversion, and forgetfulness buries it.
The same principle leads us to neglect a man of merit that induces us to admire a fool. [Fr., Du meme fonds dont on neglige un homme de merite l'on sait encore admirer un sot.]
There are only two ways by which to rise in this world, either by one's own industry or by the stupidity of others.
The favor of princes does not preclude the existence of merit, and yet does not prove that it exists. [Fr., La faveur des princes n'exclut pas le merite, et ne le suppose pas aussi.]
The art of conversation consists far less in displaying much wit oneself than in helping others to be witty: the man who leaves your company pleased with himself and his own wit is very well pleased with you.
Women are at little trouble to express what they do not feel; but men are still at less to express what they do feel.
For a long time visits among lovers and professions of love are kept up through habit, after their behavior has plainly proved that love no longer exists.
When a plain-looking woman is loved, it is certain to be very passionately ; for either her influence on her lover is irresistible, or she has some secret and more irresistible charms than those of beauty.
The most amiable people are those who least wound the self-love of others.
We must confess that at present the rich predominate, but the future will be for the virtuous and ingenious.
Children have neither past nor future; and that which seldom happens to us, they rejoice in the present. [Fr., Les enfants n'ont ni passe ni avenir; et, ce qui ne nous arrive guere, ils jouissent du present.]
One seeks to make the loved one entirely happy, or, if that cannot be, entirely wretched.
There are certain people who so ardently and passionately desire a thing, that from dread of losing it they leave nothing undone to make them lose it.
If men wish to be held in esteem, they must associate with those only who are estimable.
I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict Scripture. MARTIN LUTHER, letter to Chancellor Gregory Brück, January 13, 1524 Marriage, it seems, confines every man to his proper rank.
He who excels in his art so as to carry it to the utmost height of perfection of which it is capable may be said in some measure to go beyond it: his transcendent productions admit of no appellations.
When a book raises your spirit, and inspires you with noble and manly thoughts, seek for no other test of its excellence. It is good, and made by a good workman.
There is no road too long to the man who advances deliberately and without undue haste; there are no honors too distant to the man who prepares himself for them with patience.
A prince wants only the pleasure of private life to complete his happiness.
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