If we had no faults, we would not derive so much pleasure from noting those of other people.

The reason we do not let our friends see the very bottom of our hearts is not so much distrust of them as distrust of ourselves.

We are more often treacherous through weakness than through calculation.

If we resist our passions, it is more due to their weakness than our strength.

No accidents are so unlucky [bad] but that the wise may draw some advantage [good] from them.

The height of cleverness is to be able to conceal it.

Self-love makes our friends appear more or less deserving in proportion to the delight we take in them, and the measures by whichwe judge of their worth depend upon the manner of their conversing with us.