There is no better proof of a man's being truly good than his desiring to be constantly under the observation of good men.

What we take for virtue is often nothing but an assemblage of different actions, and of different interests, that fortune or our industry knows how to arrange.

Nothing should lessen our satisfaction with ourselves as much as when we notice that we disapprove of something at one time that we approve of at another time.

One man may be more cunning than another, but no one can be more cunning than all the world.

Self-interest speaks all manner of tongues and plays all manner of parts, even that of disinterestedness.

Idleness and fear keeps us in the path of duty, but our virtue often gets the praise.

What makes us so often discontented with those who transact business for us is that they almost always abandon the interest of their friends for the interest of the business, because they wish to have the honor of succeeding in that which they have undertaken.