Humility is often a false front we employ to gain power over others.

Innocence is lucky if it finds the same protection as guilt

The passions often engender their contraries.

To establish yourself in the world a person must do all they can to appear already established.

We confess to little faults only to persuade ourselves we have no great ones.

Moderation is like sobriety: you would like to have some more, but are afraid of making yourself ill.

A man is sometimes better off deceived about the one he loves, than undeceived.