It is oftener by the estimation of our own feelings that we exaggerate the good qualities of others than by their merit, and when we praise them we wish to attract their praise.

What we take for virtue is often but an assemblage of various ambitions and activities that chance, or our own astuteness, have arranged in a certain manner; and it is not always out of courage or purity that men are brave, and women chaste.

In love deceit almost always outstrips distrust.

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

There is something to be said for jealousy, because it only designs the preservation of some good which we either have or think wehave a right to. But envy is a raging madness that cannot bear the wealth or fortune of others.

Love is one and the same in the original; but there are a thousand different copies of it.

Few are sufficiently wise to prefer censure which is useful to praise which is treacherous.