The end of wisdom is consultation and deliberation.

Nothing is so easy as to deceive oneself; for what we wish, we readily believe.

A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.

He who confers a favor should at once forget it, if he is not to show a sordid ungenerous spirit. To remind a man of a kindness conferred and to talk of it, is little different from reproach.

It is impossible for men engaged in low and groveling pursuits to have noble and generous sentiments. A man's thought must always follow his employment.

You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man's actions are, such must be his spirit.

There is a great deal of wishful thinking in such cases it is the easiest thing of all to deceive ones self.