Men never desire anything very eagerly which they desire only by the dictates of reason.

We would rather speak ill of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.

Truth does not do as much good in the world as its imitations do harm.

However greatly we distrust the sincerity of those we converse with, yet still we think they tell more truth to us than to anyone else.

Our merit gains us the esteem of the virtuous-our star that of the public.

It is safer to do most men harm than to do them too much good.

No fools are so difficult to manage as those with some brains.