It is easier to know men in general, than men in particular.

There are fine things that are more brilliant when they are unfinished than when finished too much.

The generality of friends puts us out of conceit with friendship; just as the generality of religious people puts us out of conceit with religion.

None deserve praise for being good who have not the spirit to be bad: goodness, for the most part, is nothing but indolence or weakness of will.

If we never flattered ourselves we should have but scant pleasure.

Self-love increases or diminishes for us the good qualities of our friends, in proportion to the satisfaction we feel with them; and we judge of their merit by the manner in which they act towards us.

The judgments our enemies make about us come nearer to the truth than those we make about ourselves.