We are more interested in making others believe we are happy than in trying to be happy ourselves.

If we did not have pride, we would not complain of it in others.

Pride, which inspires us with so much envy, is sometimes of use toward the moderating of it too.

Moderation is caused by the fear of exciting the envy and contempt which those merit who are intoxicated with their good fortune; it is a vain display of our strength of mind, and in short the moderation of men at their greatest height is only a desire to appear greater than their fortune.

However glorious an action in itself, it ought not to pass for great if it be not the effect of wisdom and intention.

Our self-love can less bear to have our tastes than our opinions condemned.

Few things are impracticable in themselves; and it is for want of application, rather than of means, that men fail to succeed.