The name and pretense of virtue is as serviceable to self-interest as are real vices.

It is much better to learn to deal with the ills we have now than to speculate on those that may befall us.

There are some people upon whom their very faults and failings sit gracefully; and there are others whose very excellencies and accomplishments do not become them.

Men more easily renounce their interests than their tastes.

A person well satisfied with themselves is seldom satisfied with others, and others, rarely are with them.

We often brag that we are never bored with ourselves, and are so vain as never to think ourselves bad company.

We should often blush at our noblest deeds if the world were to see all their underlying motives.