No matter how much care we put into hiding our passions under the appearances of devotion and honor, they can always be seen to peer out through these covers.

Too great haste to repay an obligation is a kind of ingratitude.

To establish ourselves in the world, we have to do all we can to appear established. To succeed in the world, we do everything we can to appear successful.

When our vices desert us, we flatter ourselves that we are deserting our vices.

We have more ability than will power, and it is often an excuse to ourselves that we imagine that things are impossible.

What makes vanity so insufferable to us, is that it hurts our own.

Weakness of character is the only defect which cannot be amended.