You are never so easily fooled as when trying to fool someone else.

Listening well and answering well is one of the greatest perfections that can be obtained in conversation.

No matter how much care we put into hiding our passions under the appearances of devotion and honor, they can always be seen to peer out through these covers.

To know oneself is not necessarily to improve oneself

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.

A great many men's gratitude is nothing but a secret desire to hook in more valuable kindnesses hereafter.

Friendship is only a reciprocal conciliation of interests, and an exchange of good offices; it is a species of commerce out of which self-love always expects to gain something.