We seldom find people ungrateful so long as it is thought we can serve them.

Of all our faults, the one we avow most easily is idleness; we persuade ourselves that it is allied to all the peaceable virtues,and as for the others, that it does not destroy them utterly, but only suspends the exercise of their functions.

We often credit ourselves with vices the reverse of what we have, thus when weak we boast of our obstinacy.

Behind many acts that are thought ridiculous there lie wise and weighty motives.

Whatever good things people say of us, they tell us nothing new.

When we disclaim praise, it is only showing our desire to be praised a second time.

Self-love is the love of a man's own self, and of everything else for his own sake. It makes people idolaters to themselves, and tyrants to all the world besides.