There is nothing so extreme that is not allowed by the custom of some nation or other.

Custom is a second nature, and no less powerful.

Glory and curiosity are the two scourges of the soul; the last prompts us to thrust our noses into everything, the other forbids us to leave anything doubtful and undecided.

Nature has, herself, I fear, imprinted in man a kind of instinct to inhumanity.

There is more ado to interpret interpretations than to interpret things, and more books upon books than upon any other subject; we do nothing but comment upon one another.

Every place swarms with commentaries; of authors there is great scarcity.

We every day and every hour say things of another that we might more properly say of ourselves, could we but apply our observations to our own concerns.

The knowledge of courtesy and good manners is a very necessary study. It is, like grace and beauty, that which begets liking and an inclination to love one another at the first sight.

The corruption of the age is made up by the particular contribution of every individual man; some contribute treachery, others injustice, irreligion, tyranny, avarice, cruelty, according to their power.

For table-talk, 1 prefer the pleasant and witty before the learned and the grave; in bed, beauty before goodness.