There are no accidents so unlucky from which clever people are not able to reap some advantage, and none so lucky that the foolish are not able to turn them to their own disadvantage.

When our vices desert us, we flatter ourselves that we are deserting our vices.

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.

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

Men frequently do good only to give themselves opportunity of doing ill with impunity.

The greater part of mankind judge of men only by their fashionableness or their fortune.

The extreme delight we experience in talking about ourselves should warn us that those who listen do not share it.