It is not expedient or wise to examine our friends too closely; few persons are raised in our esteem by a close examination.

Our enemies come nearer the truth in the opinions they form of us than we do in our opinion of ourselves.

Avarice misapprehends itself almost always. There is no passion which more often will miss its aim, nor upon which the present has so much influence to the prejudice of the future.

Sometimes there is equal or more ability in knowing how to use good advice than there is in giving it.

Confidence in conversation has a greater share than wit.

Self-love increases or diminishes for us the good qualities of our friends, in proportion to the satisfaction we feel with them; and we judge of their merit by the manner in which they act towards us.

Love, all agreeable as it is, charms more by the fashion in which it displays itself, than by its own true merit.