The greatest part of our faults are more excusable than the methods that are commonly taken to conceal them.

The moderation of people in prosperity is the effect of a smooth and composed temper, owing to the calm of their good fortune.

Humility is often only the putting on of a submissiveness by which men hope to bring other people to submit to them; it is a morecalculated sort of pride, which debases itself with a design of being exalted; and though this vice transform itself into a thousand several shapes, yet the disguise is never more effectual nor more capable of deceiving the world than when concealed under a form of humility.

Constancy in love is of two sorts: One is the effect of new excellencies that are always presenting themselves afresh, and attractour affections continually; the other is only from a point of honor, and a taking of pride not to change.

Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.

We should wish for few things with eagerness, if we perfectly knew the nature of that which was the object of our desire.

We are all strong enough to bear other men's misfortunes.