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

There are crimes which become innocent and even glorious through their splendor, number and excess.

The vices enter into the composition of the virtues, as poisons into that of medicines. Prudence collects and arranges them, and uses them beneficially against the ills of life.

Our aversion to lying is commonly a secret ambition to make what we say considerable, and have every word received with a religious respect.

Self-love makes our friends appear more or less deserving in proportion to the delight we take in them, and the measures by whichwe judge of their worth depend upon the manner of their conversing with us.

The world more often rewards the appearances of merit than merit itself.

What is called liberality is often merely the vanity of giving.