It is often hard to determine whether a clear, open, and honorable proceeding is the result of goodness or of cunning.

A person well satisfied with themselves is seldom satisfied with others, and others, rarely are with them.

A lofty mind always thinks nobly, it easily creates vivid, agreeable, and natural fancies, places them in their best light, clothes them with all appropriate adornments, studies others' tastes, and clears away from its own thoughts all that is useless and disagreeable.

We do not like to praise, and seldom praise anyone without self-interest.

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.

To think to be wise alone is a very great folly.

A great many men's gratitude is nothing but a secret desire to hook in more valuable kindnesses hereafter.