We do not praise others, ordinarily, but in order to be praised ourselves.

Truth does less good in the world than its appearances do harm.

To praise great actions with sincerity may be said to be taking part in them.

It is not in the power of even the most crafty dissimulation to conceal love long, where it really is, nor to counterfeit it long where it is not.

A man of understanding finds less difficulty in submitting to a wrong-headed fellow, than in attempting to set him right.

The violence done us by others is often less painful than that which we do to ourselves.

A wise man should order his interests, and set them all in their proper places. This order is often troubled by greed, which putsus upon pursuing so many things at once that, in eagerness for matters of less consideration, we grasp at trifles, and let go things of greater value.