We make promises to the extent that we hope-and keep them to the extent that we fear.

The desire of appearing clever often prevents our becoming so.

We like to read others but we do not like to be read.

When we seek reconciliation with our enemies, it is commonly out of a desire to better our own condition, a being harassed and tired out with a state of war, and a fear of some ill accident which we are willing to prevent.

What we take for virtue is often nothing but an assemblage of different actions, and of different interests, that fortune or our industry knows how to arrange.

The man whom no one pleases is much more unhappy than the man who pleases no one.

Fortune never appears so blind as to those to whom she does no good.