Those who have had great passions are happy all their lives and would be unhappy to have been cured of them. - François de La Rochefoucauld

Some have a species of instinct (the source of which they are ignorant of), and decide all questions that come before them by its aid, and always decide rightly. These follow their taste more than their intelligence, because they do not permit their temper and self-love to prevail over their natural discernment. All they do is in harmony, all is in the same spirit. This harmony makes them decide correctly on matters, and form a correct estimate of their value. But speaking generally there are few who have a taste fixed and independent of that of their friends, they follow example and fashion which generally form the standard of taste.

It is harder to hide the feelings we have than to feign the ones we do not have.

The most certain sign of being born with great qualities is to be born without envy.