The virtues and vices are all put in motion by interest.

A great many men's gratitude is nothing but a secret desire to hook in more valuable kindnesses hereafter.

It is often merely for an excuse that we say things are impossible.

We often pride ourselves on even the most criminal passions, but envy is a timid and shamefaced passion we never dare to acknowledge.

Whilst weakness and timidity keep us to our duty, virtue has often all the honor.

Satire is at once the most agreeable and most dangerous of mental qualities. It always pleases when it is refined, but we always fear those who use it too much; yet satire should be allowed when unmixed with spite, and when the person satirized can join in the satire.

Our good qualities expose us more to hatred and persecution than all the ill we do.