Nothing prevents one from appearing natural as the desire to appear natural.

Praise is a more ingenious, concealed, and subtle kind of flattery, that satisfies both the giver and the receiver, though by verydifferent ways. The one accepts it as a reward due to his merit; the other gives it that he may be looked upon as a just and discerning person.

A man is sometimes better off deceived about the one he loves, than undeceived.

To know how to hide one's ability is great skill.

If one acts rightly and honestly, it is difficult to decide whether it is the effect of integrity or skill.

Nothing is more contagious than example, and no man does any exceeding good or exceeding ill but it spawns new deeds of the same kind. The good we imitate through emulation, the ill through the malignity of our nature, which shame keeps locked up, but example sets free.

Some weak people are so sensible of their weakness as to be able to make a good use of it.