Virtues lose themselves in self-interest, as rivers in the sea.

We often brag that we are never bored with ourselves, and are so vain as never to think ourselves bad company.

Gratitude is like the good faith of traders: it maintains commerce, and we often pay, not because it is just to discharge our debts, but that we may more readily find people to trust us.

There are good marriages, but there are no delightful ones.

Imagination could never invent the number of different contradictions that exist innately in each person's heart.

To know how to hide one's ability is great skill.

Jealousy is nothing more than a fear of abandonment