Timidity is a fault for which it is dangerous to reprove persons whom we wish to correct of it.

Our aversion to lying is commonly a secret ambition to make what we say considerable, and have every word received with a religious respect.

There are crimes which become innocent and even glorious through their splendor, number and excess.

What we cut off from our other faults is very often but so much added to our pride.

Our own distrust gives a fair pretence for the knavery of other people.

Moderation is caused by the fear of exciting the envy and contempt which those merit who are intoxicated with their good fortune; it is a vain display of our strength of mind, and in short the moderation of men at their greatest height is only a desire to appear greater than their fortune.

The boldest stroke and best act of friendship is not to disclose our own failings to a friend, but to show him his own.