It is as easy to unknowingly deceive yourself as it is to deceive others.

We are sometimes as different from ourselves as we are from others.

It is a mighty error to suppose that none but violent and strong passions, such as love and ambition, are able to vanquish the rest. Even idleness, as feeble and languishing as it is, sometimes reigns over them; it usurps the throne and sits paramount over all the designs and actions of our lives, and imperceptibly wastes and destroys all our passions and all our virtues.

The art of putting into play mediocre qualities often begets more reputation than is achieved by true merit.

Some good qualities are like the senses: Those who are entirely deprived of them can have no notion of them.

Pity is a sense of our own misfortunes in those of another man; it is a sort of foresight of the disasters which may befall ourselves. We assist others,, in order that they may assist us on like occasions; so that the services we offer to the unfortunate are in reality so many anticipated kindnesses to ourselves.

Silence is the safest policy if you are unsure of yourself.