We are never so generous as when giving advice.

Of all our faults, the one that we excuse most easily is idleness.

Some crimes get honor and renown by being committed with more pomp, by a greater number, and in a higher degree of wickedness thanothers. Hence it is that public robberies, plunderings, and sackings have been looked upon as excellencies and noble achievements, and the seizing of whole countries, however unjustly and barbarously, is dignified with the glorious name of gaining conquests.

The violence we do to ourselves in order to remain faithful to the one we love is hardly better than an act of infidelity.

Some men are so full of themselves that when they fall in love, they amuse themselves rather with their own passion than with theperson they love.

Self-love makes our friends appear more or less deserving in proportion to the delight we take in them, and the measures by whichwe judge of their worth depend upon the manner of their conversing with us.

We would rather speak ill of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.