Loyalty is in most people only a ruse used by self-interest to attract confidence.

A man, in order to establish himself in the world, does everything he can to appear established there.

We are not fond of praising, and never praise any one except from interested motives. Praise is a clever, concealed, and delicate flattery, which gratifies in different ways the giver and the receiver. The one takes it as a recompense of his merit, and the other bestows it to display his equity and discernment.

The most sure method of subjecting yourself to be deceived is to consider yourself more cunning than others.

We would rather see those to whom we do good, than those who do good to us.

However rare true love may be, it is less so than true friendship.

As love increases, prudence diminishes.