Some people are so extremely whiffling and inconsiderable that they are as far from any real faults as from substantial virtues.

To know oneself is not necessarily to improve oneself

We should not judge a man's merits by his great qualities, but by the use he makes of them.

Pity is often a reflection of our own evils in the ills of others. It is a delicate foresight of the troubles into which we may fall.

No one thinks fortune so blind as those she has been least kind to.

It is oftener by the estimation of our own feelings that we exaggerate the good qualities of others than by their merit, and when we praise them we wish to attract their praise.

What we take for high-mindedness is very often no other than ambition well disguised, that scorns means interests, only to pursuegreater.