Few things are needed to make a wise man happy; nothing can make a fool content; that is why most men are miserable.

Almost everyone takes pleasure in repaying trifling obligations, very many feel gratitude for those that are moderate; but there is scarcely anyone who is not ungrateful for those that are weighty.

The sure way to be cheated is to think one's self more cunning than others.

What makes us so often discontented with those who transact business for us is that they almost always abandon the interest of their friends for the interest of the business, because they wish to have the honor of succeeding in that which they have undertaken.

There is no better proof of a man's being truly good than his desiring to be constantly under the observation of good men.

Selfishness is the grand moving principle of nine-tenths of our actions.

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