There is an important difference between love and friendship. While the former delights in extremes and opposites, the latter demands equality.

- Francoise D'Aubigne, Marquise De Maintenon

The true way to soften one's troubles is to solace those of others.

- Francoise D'Aubigne, Marquise De Maintenon

It is with many enterprises as with striking fire; we do not meet with success except by reiterated efforts, and often at the instant when we despair…

- Francoise D'Aubigne, Marquise De Maintenon

Hope says to us constantly, "Go on, go on..."

- Francoise D'Aubigne, Marquise De Maintenon

Who would venture upon the journey of life, if compelled to begin it at the end?

- Francoise D'Aubigne, Marquise De Maintenon

three-fourths of all marriages are unhappy.

- Francoise D'Aubigne, Marquise De Maintenon

Delicacy is to love what grace is to beauty.

- Francoise D'Aubigne, Marquise De Maintenon

Sin is not so sinful as hypocrisy.

- Francoise D'Aubigne, Marquise De Maintenon

Pleasure and pain, the good and the bad, are so intermixed that we can not shun the one without depriving ourselves of the other.

- Francoise D'Aubigne, Marquise De Maintenon