Nothing should lessen our satisfaction with ourselves as much as when we notice that we disapprove of something at one time that we approve of at another time.

In great affairs we ought to apply ourselves less to creating chances than to profiting from those that offer.

He that fancies such a sufficiency in himself that he can live without all the world is greatly mistaken; but he that imagines himself so necessary that other people cannot live without him is a great deal more mistaken.

What we cut off from our other faults is very often but so much added to our pride.

However rare true love may be, it is less so than true friendship.

It is most difficult to speak when we are ashamed of being silent.

We would frequently be ashamed of our good deeds if people saw all of the motives that produced them.