Affected simplicity is an elegant imposture.

All women are flirts, but some are restrained by shyness, and others by sense.

Some crimes get honor and renown by being committed with more pomp, by a greater number, and in a higher degree of wickedness thanothers. Hence it is that public robberies, plunderings, and sackings have been looked upon as excellencies and noble achievements, and the seizing of whole countries, however unjustly and barbarously, is dignified with the glorious name of gaining conquests.

Generosity is the vanity of giving.

If vanity does not entirely overthrow the virtues, at least it makes them all totter.

Gratitude is a useless word. You will find it in a dictionary but not in life.

Gratitude, in most men, is only a strong and secret hope of greater favors.