He who refuses praise the first time that it is offered does so because he would hear it a second time.

Politeness is a desire to be treated politely, and to be esteemed polite oneself.

The passions of youth are not more dangerous to health than is the lukewarmness of old age.

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

Indolence, languid as it is, often masters both passions and virtues.

When we exaggerate our friends' tenderness towards us, it is often less from gratitude than from a desire to exhibit our own virtue.

The older a fool is, the worse he is.