We do not like to praise, and seldom praise anyone without self-interest.

To praise great actions with sincerity may be said to be taking part in them.

There are various sorts of curiosity; one is from interest, which makes us desire to know that which may be useful to us; and the other, from pride which comes from the wish to know what others are ignorant of.

Listening well and answering well is one of the greatest perfections that can be obtained in conversation.

Nothing prevents one from appearing natural as the desire to appear natural.

There are some who never would have loved if they never had heard it spoken of.

To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.