Some follies are caught, like contagious diseases.

The passions do very often give birth to others of a nature most contrary to their own. Thus avarice sometimes brings forth prodigality, and prodigality avarice; a man's resolution is very often the effect of levity, and his boldness that of cowardice and fear.

We often do shallow good in order to accomplish evil with impunity.

That good disposition which boasts of being most tender is often stifled by the least urging of self-interest.

That which makes the vanity of others unbearable to us is that which wounds our own.

The vivacity that augments with years is not far from folly.

The wind which snuffs the candle fans the fire.