Sometimes, occasions occur in life which demand you to be a little foolish in order to skillfully extricate yourself.

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.

A man's wits are better employed in bearing up under the misfortunes that lie upon him at present than in foreseeing those that may come upon him hereafter.

What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given.

We make promises to the extent that we hope-and keep them to the extent that we fear.

It is no tragedy to do ungrateful people favors, but it is unbearable to be indebted to a scoundrel.

Some disguised deceits counterfeit truth so perfectly that not to be taken in by them would be an error of judgment.