We would rather speak ill of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.

The happiness and misery of men depend no less on temper than fortune.

Humility is the sure evidence of Christian virtues. Without it, we retain all our faults still, and they are only covered over with pride, which hides them from other men's observation, and sometimes from our own too.

Weakness of character is the only defect which cannot be amended.

One forgives to the degree that one loves.

Self-love is the love of a man's own self, and of everything else for his own sake. It makes people idolaters to themselves, and tyrants to all the world besides.

The desire to seem clever often keeps us from being so.