Every one speaks well of his own heart, but no one dares speak well of his own mind.

We often do shallow good in order to accomplish evil with impunity.

Before strongly desiring anything, we should look carefully into the happiness of its present owner.

Politeness of mind consists in thinking chaste and refined thoughts.

What seems to be generosity is often no more than disguised ambition, which overlooks a small interest in order to secure a great one.

We should wish for few things with eagerness, if we perfectly knew the nature of that which was the object of our desire.

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