An ambition to excel in petty things obstructs the progress to nobler aims.

False friends are like our shadow, keeping close to us while we walk in the sunshine, but leaving us the instant we cross into the shade.

Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.

Our first and last love is self-love.

The scope of an intellect is not to be measured with a tape-string, or a character deciphered from the shape or length of a nose.

It is the passion that is in a kiss that gives to it its sweetness; it is the affection in a kiss that sanctifies it.

We fear things in proportion to our ignorance of them.

The opinions of the misanthropical rest upon this very partial basis, that they adopt the bad faith of a few as evidence of the worthlessness of all.

The lively and mercurial are as open books, with the leaves turned down at the notable passages. Their souls sit at the windows of their eyes, seeing and to be seen.

Tears are nature's lotion for the eyes. The eyes see better for being washed by them.

The passions are like fire, useful in a thousand ways and dangerous only in one, through their excess.

If you expect great things of yourself and demand little of others, you’ll keep resentment far away.

Every major life decision I made came from my pain, guilt and shame...even down to the man I chose for a husband.

Vigilance enables wisdom and is the key to freewill

I thank God for supply me with my deepest needs

Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever.

I'm only interested in Libya if we keep the oil. If we don't keep the oil, I'm not interested.

I think I'm the only senator who does not see a president when I look in the mirror.

There are always two parties; the establishment and the movement.

I just want to be challenged. I want to be proud of what I do, and I want to learn new things and keep growing.

Half the time she did things not simply, not for themselves; but to make people think this or that; perfect idiocy she knew for no one was ever for a second taken in.