Chance corrects us of many faults that reason would not know how to correct.

We always like those who admire us.

Praise is flattery, artful, hidden, delicate, which gratifies differently him who praises and him who is praised. The one takes it as the reward of merit, the other bestows it to show his impartiality and knowledge.

It is from a weakness and smallness of mind that men are opinionated; and we are very loath to believe what we are not able to comprehend.

Innocence is lucky if it finds the same protection as guilt

Kings do with men as with pieces of money; they give them what value they please, and we are obliged to receive them at their current and not at their real value.

Our own distrust gives a fair pretence for the knavery of other people.