Our concern for the loss of our friends is not always from a sense of their worth, but rather of our own need of them and that we have lost some who had a good opinion of us.

When a man must force himself to be faithful in his love, this is hardly better than unfaithfulness.

We would frequently be ashamed of our good deeds if people saw all of the motives that produced them.

Love of fame, fear of disgrace, schemes for advancement, desire to make life comfortable and pleasant, and the urge to humiliate others are often at the root of the valour men hold in such high esteem.

The exceeding delight we take in talking about ourselves should give us cause to fear that we are giving but very little pleasureto our listeners.

A man, in order to establish himself in the world, does everything he can to appear established there.

There are a great many simpletons who know themselves to be so, and who make a very cunning use of their own simplicity.