The most effectual way to be deceived is to believe oneself more cunning than one's neighbors.

Self-love is the love of a man's own self, and of everything else for his own sake. It makes people idolaters to themselves, and tyrants to all the world besides.

It is easier to appear worthy of a position one does not hold, than of the office which one fills.

Nothing is rarer than true good nature; they who are reputed to have it are generally only pliant or weak.

The height of ability in the least able consists in knowing how to submit to the good leadership of others.

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

As it is the characteristic of great wits to say much in few words, so small wits seem to have the gift of speaking much and saying nothing.