There are a great many men valued in society who have nothing to recommend them but serviceable vices.

Almost everyone takes pleasure in repaying trifling obligations, very many feel gratitude for those that are moderate; but there is scarcely anyone who is not ungrateful for those that are weighty.

It is as easy to deceive one's self without perceiving it, as it is difficult to deceive others without their finding out.

Love, all agreeable as it is, charms more by the fashion in which it displays itself, than by its own true merit.

Moderation is a fear of falling into that envy and contempt which those who grow giddy with their good fortune quite justly draw upon themselves. It is a vain boasting of the greatness of our mind.

It is sometimes a point of as much cleverness to know to make good use of advice from others as to be able give good advice to oneself.

One may outwit another, but not all the others.