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

The praise we give to new comers into the world arises from the envy we bear to those who are established.

He who imagines he can do without the world deceives himself much; but he who fancies the world cannot do without him is still more mistaken.

There are follies as catching as contagious disorders.

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

Idleness and constancy fix the mind to what it finds easy and agreeable. This habit always confines and cramps up our knowledge; and no one has ever taken the trouble to stretch and carry his understanding as far as it could go.

We often persuade ourselves to love people who are more powerful than we are, yet interest alone produces our friendship; we do not give our hearts away for the good we wish to do, but for that we expect to receive.