Some men are like ballads, that are in everyone's mouth a little while.

The name and pretense of virtue is as serviceable to self-interest as are real vices.

That which occasions so many mistakes in the computations of men, when they expect return for favors, is that the giver's pride and the receiver's cannot agree upon the value of the kindness done.

Great names abase, instead of elevating, those who do not know how to bear them.

In every walk of life each man puts on a personality and outward appearance so as to look what he wants to be thought; in fact you might say that society is entirely made up of assumed personalities.

The happiness and misery of men depend no less on temper than fortune.

Ridicule dishonors a man more than dishonor does.