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

It is sometimes necessary to play the fool to avoid being deceived by cunning men.

Avarice often produces opposite results: there are an infinite number of persons who sacrifice their property to doubtful and distant expectations; others mistake great future advantages for small present interests.

If we never flattered ourselves we should have but scant pleasure.

The health of the soul is something we can be no more sure of than that of the body; and though a man may seem far from the passions, yet he is in as much danger of falling into them as one in a perfect state of health of having a fit of sickness.

The one thing people are the most liberal with, is their advice.

People's personalities, like buildings, have various facades, some pleasant to view, some not.