In infants, levity is a prettiness; in men a shameful defect; but in old age, a monstrous folly.

Most people know no other way of judging men's worth but by the vogue they are in, or the fortunes they have met with.

Men and things have each their proper perspective; to judge rightly of some it is necessary to see them near, of others we can never judge rightly but at a distance.

We seldom find any person of good sense, except those who share our opinions.

We come altogether fresh and raw into the several stages of life, and often find ourselves without experience, despite our years.

Happiness does not consist in things themselves but in the relish we have of them; and a man has attained it when he enjoys what he loves and desires himself, and not what other people think lovely and desirable.

Self-love is the love of a man's own self, and of everything else for his own sake. It makes people idolaters to themselves, and tyrants to all the world besides.