The desire of talking of ourselves, and showing those faults we do not mind having seen, makes up a good part of our sincerity.

Only the contemptible fear contempt.

It may be said that the vices await us in the journey of life like hosts with whom we must successively lodge; and I doubt whether experience would make us avoid them if we were to travel the same road a second time.

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.

Decency is the least of all laws, but yet it is the law which is most strictly observed.

The art of putting into play mediocre qualities often begets more reputation than is achieved by true merit.

In every walk of life each man puts on a personality and outward appearance so as to look what he wants to be thought; in fact you might say that society is entirely made up of assumed personalities.