I am going on with the _Ethics_ of Nicole, which I find delightful; it has not yet given me any lesson against the rain, but I am expecting it, for I find everything there, and conformity to the will of God might answer my purpose, if I did not want a specific remedy.

In fact, I consider this an admirable book; nobody has written as these gentlemen have, for I put down to Pascal half of all that is beautiful.

It is so nice to have one's self and one's feelings talked about, that, though it be in bad part, one is charmed by it.

What is called searching the depths of the heart with a lantern is exactly what he does; he discloses to us that which we feel every day, but have not the wit to discern or the sincerity to avow.

I have even forgiven the swelling in the heart (_l'enflure du coeur_) for the sake of the rest, and I maintain that there is no other word to express vanity and pride, which are really wind: try and find another word.