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

Man only blames himself in order that he may be praised.

Many people despise wealth, but few know how to give it away.

Flattery is a base coin which is current only through our vanity.

Idleness is more an infirmity of the mind than of the body.

The contempt of riches in philosophers was only a hidden desire to avenge their merit upon the injustice of fortune, by despising the very goods of which fortune had deprived them; it was a secret to guard themselves against the degradation of poverty, it was a back way by which to arrive at that distinction which they could not gain by riches.

Listening well and answering well is one of the greatest perfections that can be obtained in conversation.