Few people have the wisdom to prefer the criticism that would do them good, to the praise that deceives them.

Virtues lose themselves in self-interest, as rivers in the sea.

Jealousy is always born with love, but does not die with it. In jealousy there is more of self-love than of love to another.

The extreme pleasure we take in speaking of ourselves should make us apprehensive that it gives hardly any to those who listen to us.

As it is the mark of great minds to say many things in a few words, so it is that of little minds to use many words to say nothing.

There are a great many men valued in society who have nothing to recommend them but serviceable vices.

The generality of men have, like plants, latent properties, which chance brings to light.