It is a mighty error to suppose that none but violent and strong passions, such as love and ambition, are able to vanquish the rest. Even idleness, as feeble and languishing as it is, sometimes reigns over them; it usurps the throne and sits paramount over all the designs and actions of our lives, and imperceptibly wastes and destroys all our passions and all our virtues.

The reason we bitterly hate those who deceive us is because they think they are cleverer than we are.

It is easier for a man to be thought fit for an employment that he has not, than for one he stands already possessed of, and is exercising.

It is sometimes necessary to play the fool to avoid being deceived by cunning men.

We often pride ourselves on even the most criminal passions, but envy is a timid and shamefaced passion we never dare to acknowledge.

The whimsicalness of our own humor is a thousand times more fickle and unaccountable than what we blame so much in fortune.

Those who occupy their minds with small matters, generally become incapable of greatness.