Though men are apt to flatter and exalt themselves with their great achievements, yet these are, in truth, very often owing not so much to design as chance.

We are lazier in our minds than in our bodies.

When we enlarge upon the affection our friends have for us, this is very often not so much out of a sense of gratitude as from a desire to persuade people of our own great worth, that can deserve so much kindness.

Behind many acts that are thought ridiculous there lie wise and weighty motives.

The extreme pleasure we take in speaking of ourselves should make us apprehensive that it gives hardly any to those who listen to us.

Without humility, we keep all our defects; and they are only crusted over by pride, which conceals them from others, and often from ourselves.

We come altogether fresh and raw into the several stages of life, and often find ourselves without experience, despite our years.