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

It seems that nature, which has so wisely disposed our bodily organs with a view to our happiness, has also bestowed on us pride, to spare us the pain of being aware of our imperfections.

Truth has scarce done so much good in the world as the false appearances of it have done hurt.

It is easier to know men in general, than men in particular.

How can we expect another to keep our secret if we have been unable to keep it ourselves?

One thing which makes us find so few people who appear reasonable and agreeable in conversation is, that there is scarcely any one who does not think more of what he is about to say than of answering precisely what is said to him.

Happy people rarely correct their faults; they consider themselves vindicated, since fortune endorses their evil ways.