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

Tastes in young people are changed by natural impetuosity, and in the aged are preserved by habit.

Propriety is the least of all laws, and the most observed.

Second-rate minds usually condemn everything beyond their grasp.

The health of the soul is as precarious as that of the body; for when we seem secure from passions, we are no less in danger of their infection than we are of falling ill when we appear to be well.

The extreme pleasure we take in speaking of ourselves should make us apprehensive that it gives hardly any to those who listen to us.

Never give anyone the advice to buy or sell shares, because the most benevolent price of advice can turn out badly.