[XLIII].—We more often place bounds on our gratitude than on our desires and our hopes. (1665, No. 241.)
[XLIV].—Imitation is always unhappy, for all which is counterfeit displeases by the very things which charm us when they are original (Naturelles). (1665, No. 245.)
[XLV].—We do not regret the loss of our friends according to their merits, but according to OUR wants, and the opinion with which we believed we had impressed them of our worth. (1665, No. 248.)
[XLVI].—It is very hard to separate the general goodness spread all over the world from great cleverness. (1665, No. 252.)
[XLVII].—For us to be always good, others should believe that they cannot behave wickedly to us with impunity. (1665, No. 254.)
[XLVIII].—A confidence in being able to please is often an infallible means of being displeasing. (1665, No. 256.)
[XLIX].—The confidence we have in ourselves arises in a great measure from that that we have in others. (1665, No. 258.)
[L].—There is a general revolution which changes the tastes of the mind as well as the fortunes of the world. (1665, No. 250.)
[LI].—Truth is 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 that she should be, and possess truly all that she should have (1665, No. 260.)
[Beauty is truth, truth beauty.{—John Keats, "Ode on a a Grecian Urn," (1820), Stanza 5}]