We have not enough strength to follow all our reason.

The art of using moderate abilities to advantage often brings greater results than actual brilliance

Some reproaches praise; some praises reproach.

No man deserves to be praised for his goodness, who has it not in his power to be wicked. Goodness without that power is generally nothing more than sloth, or an impotence of will.

Self-love makes our friends appear more or less deserving in proportion to the delight we take in them, and the measures by whichwe judge of their worth depend upon the manner of their conversing with us.

One man may be more cunning than another, but no one can be more cunning than all the world.

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