XLIV.--Imitation is always unhappy, for all which is counterfeit displeases by the very things which charm us when they are original (Naturelles). (1665, No. 245.) XLV.--We do not regret the loss of our friends according to their merits, but according to OUR wants, and the opinion with which we believed we had impressed them of our worth. (1665, No. 248.) XLVI.--It is very hard to separate the general goodness spread all over the world from great cleverness. (1665, No. 252.) XLVII.--For us to be always good, others should believe that they cannot behave wickedly to us with impunity. (1665, No. 254.) XLVIII.--A confidence in being able to please is often an infallible means of being displeasing. (1665, No. 256.) XLIX.--The confidence we have in ourselves arises in a great measure from that that we have in others. (1665, No. 258.) L.--There is a general revolution which changes the tastes of the mind as well as the fortunes of the world. (1665, No. 250.) LI.--Truth is foundation and the reason of the perfection of beauty, for of whatever stature a thing may be, it cannot be beautiful and perfect unless it be truly that she should be, and possess truly all that she should have (1665, No. 260.) [Beauty is truth, truth beauty.{--John Keats, "Ode on a a Grecian Urn," (1820), Stanza 5}] LII.--There are fine things which are more brilliant when unfinished than when finished too much. (1665, No. 262.) LIII.--Magnanimity is a noble effort of pride which makes a man master of himself, to make him master of all things. (1665, No. 271.) LIV.--Luxury and too refined a policy in states are a sure presage of their fall, because all parties looking after their own interest turn away from the public good. (1665, No. 282.) LV.--Of all passions that which is least known to us is idleness; she is the most ardent and evil of all, although her violence may be insensible, and the evils she causes concealed; if we consider her power attentively we shall find that in all encounters she makes herself mistress of our sentiments, our interests, and our pleasures; like the (fabled) Remora, she can stop the greatest vessels, she is a hidden rock, more dangerous in the most important matters than sudden squalls and the most violent tempests. The repose of idleness is a magic charm which suddenly suspends the most ardent pursuits and the most obstinate resolutions. In fact to give a true notion of this passion we must add that idleness, like a beatitude of the soul, consoles us for all losses and fills the vacancy of all our wants. (1665, No. 290.) LVI.--We are very fond of reading others' characters, but we do not like to be read ourselves. (1665, No. 296.) LVII.--What a tiresome malady is that which forces one to preserve your health by a severe regimen. (Ibid, No. 298.) LVIII.--It is much easier to take love when one is free, than to get rid of it after having taken it. (1665, No. 300.)