Often we are firm from weakness, and audacious from timidity.

We often do shallow good in order to accomplish evil with impunity.

People would not long remain in social life if they were not the dupes of each other.

Hope, deceiving as it is, serves at least to lead us to the end of our lives by an agreeable route.

Our desires always disappoint us; for though we meet with something that gives us satisfaction, yet it never thoroughly answers our expectation. [However disappointment can always be removed if we remember it could have turned out worse.]

The common foible of women who have been handsome is to forget that they are no longer so.

Sobriety is concern for one's health - or limited capacity.