In love we grow acquainted, because we are already attached—in friendship we must know each other before we love.
A great capitalist is like a vast lake, upon whose bosom ships can navigate, but which is useless to the country, because no stream issues thence to fertilize the land.
With a great seigneur, there is more to be gained by flattering his vices than by improving his estates.
Truth and virtue can do less good in the world than their false, well-acted semblance can do evil.
A generous man will place the benefits he confers beneath his feet,—those he receives, nearest his heart.
A narrow-minded man can never possess real and true generosity—he can never go beyond mere benevolence.
General maxims applied to every-day life are like routine applied to the arts, good only for mediocre intellects.
If you wish to appear agreeable in society, you must consent to be taught many things which you know already.
We must learn to submit with grace to commit the follies which depend upon character.
There are many vices which do not deprive us of friends,—there are many virtues which prevent our having any.