It is often merely for an excuse that we say things are impossible.

No matter how brilliant an action, it should not be considered great unless it was the result of a great motive.

Flattery is a kind of bad money, to which our vanity gives us currency.

What is called liberality is often merely the vanity of giving.

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

Friendship is only a reciprocal conciliation of interests, and an exchange of good offices; it is a species of commerce out of which self-love always expects to gain something.

Whatever ignominy or disgrace we have incurred, it is almost always in our power to reestablish our reputation.