Our enemies come nearer the truth in the opinions they form of us than we do in our opinion of ourselves.

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.

No man deserves to be praised for his goodness, who has it not in his power to be wicked. Goodness without that power is generally nothing more than sloth, or an impotence of will.

Before we set our hearts too much upon anything, let us examine how happy they are, who already possess it.

Silence is the best tactic for he who distrusts himself.

The art of putting into play mediocre qualities often begets more reputation than is achieved by true merit.

We rarely ever perceive others as being sensible, except for those who agree with us.