What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given.

Virtue would not make such advances if there were not a little vanity to keep it company.

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

In love we often doubt what we most believe.

Moderation in people who are contented comes from that calm that good fortune lends to their spirit.

Some good qualities are like the senses: Those who are entirely deprived of them can have no notion of them.

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