When the soul is ruffled by the remains of one passion, it is more disposed to entertain a new one than when it is entirely curedand at rest from all.

Politeness is a desire to be treated politely, and to be esteemed polite oneself.

What seems to be generosity is often no more than disguised ambition, which overlooks a small interest in order to secure a great one.

Honest people will respect us for our merit: the public, for our luck.

The greatest of all gifts is the power to estimate things at their true worth

The evil that we do does not attract to us so much persecution and hatred as our good qualities.

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