If we did not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others could never harm us.

Sobriety is concern for one's health - or limited capacity.

Nothing is more contagious than example, and no man does any exceeding good or exceeding ill but it spawns new deeds of the same kind. The good we imitate through emulation, the ill through the malignity of our nature, which shame keeps locked up, but example sets free.

Most of our faults are more pardonable than the means we use to conceal them.

Only strong natures can really be sweet ones; those that seem sweet are in general only weak, and may easily turn sour.

Prudence and love are inconsistent; in proportion as the last increases, the other decreases.

The virtues and vices are all put in motion by interest.