Flattery is a base coin which is current only through our vanity.

It is only persons of firmness that can have real gentleness. Those who appear gentle are, in general, only a weak character, which easily changes into asperity.

None but the contemptible are apprehensive of contempt.

There are various sorts of curiosity; one is from interest, which makes us desire to know that which may be useful to us; and the other, from pride which comes from the wish to know what others are ignorant of.

The cunningest dissimulation is when a man pretends to be caught in the traps others set for him; and a man is never so easily over-reached as when he is contriving to over-reach others.

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

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