We sometimes imagine we hate flattery, but we only hate the way we are flattered.

We only confess our little faults to persuade people that we have no big ones.

Self-love, as it happens to be well or ill conducted, constitutes virtue and vice.

The grace of novelty and the length of habit, though so very opposite to one another, yet agree in this, that they both alike keepus from discovering the faults of our friends.

Some people displease with merit, and others' very faults and defects are pleasing.

A man is ridiculous less through the characteristics he has than through those he affects to have.

How deceitful hope may be, yet she carries us on pleasantly to the end of life.