The defects of the mind, like those of the face, grow worse with age.

It is as easy to unknowingly deceive yourself as it is to deceive others.

We are better pleased to see those on whom we confer benefits than those from whom we receive them.

The force we use on ourselves, to prevent ourselves from loving, is often more cruel than the severest treatment at the hands of one loved.

Flattery is false money, which would not be current were it not for our vanity.

What we call generosity is for the most part only the vanity of giving; and we exercise it because we are more fond of that vanity than of the thing we give.

Whatever distrust we may have of the sincerity of those who converse with us, we always believe they will tell us more truth than they do to others.