We often bore others when we think we cannot possibly bore them.

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.

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.

Most people judge men by their success or their good fortune.

We easily forgive our friends those faults that do no affect us ourselves.

Jealousy springs more from love of self than from love of another.

The desire of talking of ourselves, and showing those faults we do not mind having seen, makes up a good part of our sincerity.