It is a mistake to imagine, that the violent passions only, such as ambition and love, can triumph over the rest. Idleness, languid as it is, often masters them all; she influences all our designs and actions, and insensibly consumes and destroys both passions and virtues.

It is no tragedy to do ungrateful people favors, but it is unbearable to be indebted to a scoundrel.

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.

Many people despise wealth, but few know how to give it away.

We often pride ourselves on even the most criminal passions, but envy is a timid and shamefaced passion we never dare to acknowledge.

It is difficult to like those whom we do not esteem; but it is no less so to like those whom we esteem more than ourselves.

The qualities we have, make us so ridiculous as those which we affect.