Francois de La Rochefoucauld

A great many men's gratitude is nothing but a secret desire to hook in more valuable kindnesses hereafter.

A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care of all to acquire.

Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires.

As it is the characteristic of great wits to say much in few words, so small wits seem to have the gift of speaking much and saying nothing.