What makes us so often discontented with those who transact business for us is that they almost always abandon the interest of their friends for the interest of the business, because they wish to have the honor of succeeding in that which they have undertaken.

A lofty mind always thinks nobly, it easily creates vivid, agreeable, and natural fancies, places them in their best light, clothes them with all appropriate adornments, studies others' tastes, and clears away from its own thoughts all that is useless and disagreeable.

In all professions each affects a look and an exterior to appear what he wishes the world to believe that he is. Thus we may say that the whole world is made up of appearances.

None but the contemptible are apprehensive of contempt.

In order to succeed in the world people do their upmost to appear successful.

Οur own distrust somewhat justifies the deceit of others.

A true friend is the most precious of all possessions and the one we take the least thought about acquiring.