Selfishness is the grand moving principle of nine-tenths of our actions.

No accidents are so unlucky [bad] but that the wise may draw some advantage [good] from them.

It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.

We often forgive those who bore us, but we cannot forgive those whom we bore.

Sometimes we think we dislike flattery, but it is only the way it is done that we dislike.

Nothing is so capable of diminishing self-love as the observation that we disapprove at one time what we approve at another.

In all professions each affects a look and an exterior to appear what he wishes the world to believe that he is. Thus we may say that the whole world is made up of appearances.