When our vices desert us, we flatter ourselves that we are deserting our vices.

The only thing that should surprise us is that there are still some things that can surprise us.

Friendship is a traffic wherein self-love always proposes to be the gainer.

Nothing ought in reason to mortify our self-satisfaction more that the considering that we condemn at one time what we highly approve and commend at another.

Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue.

It is oftener by the estimation of our own feelings that we exaggerate the good qualities of others than by their merit, and when we praise them we wish to attract their praise.

When we enlarge upon the affection our friends have for us, this is very often not so much out of a sense of gratitude as from a desire to persuade people of our own great worth, that can deserve so much kindness.