We often select envenomed praise which, by a reaction upon those we praise, shows faults we could not have shown by other means.

Ideas often flash across our minds more complete than we could make them after much labor.

The only thing that should surprise us is that there are still some things that can surprise us.

Numberless arts appear foolish whose secret motives are most wise and weighty.

There is scarcely any man sufficiently clever to appreciate all the evil he does.

When our vices desert us, we flatter ourselves that we are deserting our vices.

Fortune makes our virtues and vices visible, just as light does the objects of sight.