To think to be wise alone is a very great folly.

The generality of men have, like plants, latent properties, which chance brings to light.

It is great folly to wish to be wise all alone.

We label judges with having the meanest motives, and yet we desire that our reputation and fame should depend upon the judgment of men, who are all, either from their jealousy or preoccupation or want of intelligence, opposed to us - and yet despite their bias, just for the sake of making these men decide in our favor, we peril in so many ways both our peace and our life.

What renders us so changeable in our friendship is, that it is difficult to know the qualities of the soul, but easy to know those of the mind.

However greatly we distrust the sincerity of those we converse with, yet still we think they tell more truth to us than to anyone else.

A true friend is the most precious of all possessions and the one we take the least thought about acquiring.