We should wish for few things with eagerness, if we perfectly knew the nature of that which was the object of our desire.

Nothing is so capable of diminishing self-love as the observation that we disapprove at one time what we approve at another.

Truth has scarce done so much good in the world as the false appearances of it have done hurt.

What makes the pain we feel from shame and jealousy so cutting is that vanity can give us no assistance in bearing them.

As it is the characteristic of great wits to say much in few words, so small wits seem to have the gift of speaking much and saying nothing.

The judgments our enemies make about us come nearer to the truth than those we make about ourselves.

Nothing is so contagious as example.