The evil that we do does not attract to us so much persecution and hatred as our good qualities.

It is with certain good qualities as with the senses; those who have them not can neither appreciate nor comprehend them in others.

We do not praise others, ordinarily, but in order to be praised ourselves.

Whatever pretended causes we may blame our afflictions upon, it is often nothing but self-interest and vanity that produce them.

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

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.

The same strength of character which helps a man resist love, helps to make it more violent and lasting too. People of unsettled minds are always driven about with passions, but never absolutely filled with any.