[LII].—There are fine things which are more brilliant when unfinished than when finished too much. (1665, No. 262.)
[LIII].—Magnanimity is a noble effort of pride which makes a man master of himself, to make him master of all things. (1665, No. 271.)
[LIV].—Luxury and too refined a policy in states are a sure presage of their fall, because all parties looking after their own interest turn away from the public good. (1665, No. 282.)
[LV].—Of all passions that which is least known to us is idleness; she is the most ardent and evil of all, although her violence may be insensible, and the evils she causes concealed; if we consider her power attentively we shall find that in all encounters she makes herself mistress of our sentiments, our interests, and our pleasures; like the (fabled) Remora, she can stop the greatest vessels, she is a hidden rock, more dangerous in the most important matters than sudden squalls and the most violent tempests. The repose of idleness is a magic charm which suddenly suspends the most ardent pursuits and the most obstinate resolutions. In fact to give a true notion of this passion we must add that idleness, like a beatitude of the soul, consoles us for all losses and fills the vacancy of all our wants. (1665, No. 290.)
[LVI].—We are very fond of reading others' characters, but we do not like to be read ourselves. (1665, No. 296.)
[LVII].—What a tiresome malady is that which forces one to preserve your health by a severe regimen. (Ibid, No. 298.)
[LVIII].—It is much easier to take love when one is free, than to get rid of it after having taken it. (1665, No. 300.)
[LIX].—Women for the most part surrender themselves more from weakness than from passion. Whence it is that bold and pushing men succeed better than others, although they are not so loveable. (1665, No. 301.)
[LX].—Not to love is in love, an infallible means of being beloved. (1665, No. 302.)
[LXI].—The sincerity which lovers and mistresses ask that both should know when they cease to love each other, arises much less from a wish to be warned of the cessation of love, than from a desire to be assured that they are beloved although no one denies it. (1665, No. 303.)