Philosophy finds it an easy matter to vanquish past and future evils, but the present are commonly too hard for it.

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

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.

There are a great many simpletons who know themselves to be so, and who make a very cunning use of their own simplicity.

Flattery is a counterfeit money which, but for vanity, would have no circulation.

Our good qualities expose us more to hatred and persecution than all the ill we do.

We seldom praise anyone in good earnest, except such as admire us.