There are bad people who would be less dangerous if they were quite devoid of goodness.

Tastes in young people are changed by natural impetuosity, and in the aged are preserved by habit.

We do not lack strength so much as the will to use it; and very often our imagining that things are impossible is nothing but an excuse of our own contriving, to reconcile ourselves to our own idleness.

Self-interest speaks all manner of tongues and plays all manner of parts, even that of disinterestedness.

There are fine things that are more brilliant when they are unfinished than when finished too much.

Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue.

If one acts rightly and honestly, it is difficult to decide whether it is the effect of integrity or skill.