Nothing is more contagious than example, and no man does any exceeding good or exceeding ill but it spawns new deeds of the same kind. The good we imitate through emulation, the ill through the malignity of our nature, which shame keeps locked up, but example sets free.

Friendship is a traffic wherein self-love always proposes to be the gainer.

We seldom praise anyone in good earnest, except such as admire us.

We would frequently be ashamed of our good deeds if people saw all of the motives that produced them.

It is the prerogative of great men only to have great defects.

The height of ability in the least able consists in knowing how to submit to the good leadership of others.

We often shed tears that deceive ourselves after deceiving others.