Conceit causes more conversation than wit.

Our actions seem to have their lucky and unlucky stars, to which a great part of that blame and that commendation is due which is given to the actions themselves.

Passion often makes a fool of the cleverest man and often makes the most foolish men clever

Those only are despicable who fear to be despised.

The generality of friends puts us out of conceit with friendship; just as the generality of religious people puts us out of conceit with religion.

Virtues lose themselves in self-interest, as rivers in the sea.

Whatever pretended causes we may blame our afflictions upon, it is often nothing but self-interest and vanity that produce them.