The love of new acquaintance comes not so much from being weary of what we had before, or from any satisfaction there is in change, as from the distaste we feel in being too little admired by those that know us too well, and the hope of being more admired by those that know us less.

Things often offer themselves to our mind in a more finished form in the very first thought, than we might have made them by muchart and study.

To think to be wise alone is a very great folly.

Truth has scarce done so much good in the world as the false appearances of it have done hurt.

Though men are apt to flatter and exalt themselves with their great achievements, yet these are, in truth, very often owing not so much to design as chance.

Affected simplicity is an elegant imposture.

We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves.