Humility is the sure evidence of Christian virtues. Without it, we retain all our faults still, and they are only covered over with pride, which hides them from other men's observation, and sometimes from our own too.

We are never so ridiculous through what we are as through what we pretend to be.

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

Tricks and treachery are merely proofs of lack of skill.

We are much mistaken if we think that men are always brave from a principle of valor, or women chaste from a principle of modesty.

Love of fame, fear of disgrace, schemes for advancement, desire to make life comfortable and pleasant, and the urge to humiliate others are often at the root of the valour men hold in such high esteem.

In friendship, as in love, we are often more happy from the things we are ignorant of than from those we are acquainted with.