We should desire very few things passionately if we did but perfectly know the nature of the things we desire.

Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers.

Philosophy finds it an easy matter to vanquish past and future evils, but the present are commonly too hard for it.

Those great and glorious actions that dazzle our eyes with their luster are represented by statesmen as the result of great wisdomand excellent design; whereas, in truth, they are commonly the effects of the humors and passions.

There are bad people who would be less dangerous if they were quite devoid of goodness.

There is real love just as there are real ghosts; every person speaks of it, few persons have seen it.

Avarice is more opposite to economy than liberality.