Happiness does not consist in things themselves but in the relish we have of them; and a man has attained it when he enjoys what he loves and desires himself, and not what other people think lovely and desirable.

A readiness to believe ill of others, before we have duly examined it, is the effect of laziness and pride. We are eager to find aculprit, and loath to give ourselves the trouble of examining the crime.

Never give anyone the advice to buy or sell shares, because the most benevolent price of advice can turn out badly.

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

We are eager to believe that others are flawed because we are eager to believe in what we wish for.

A woman often thinks she regrets the lover, when she only regrets the love.

Happiness is in the taste, and not in the things.