Flattery is a counterfeit money which, but for vanity, would have no circulation.

The contempt of riches in philosophers was only a hidden desire to avenge their merit upon the injustice of fortune, by despising the very goods of which fortune had deprived them; it was a secret to guard themselves against the degradation of poverty, it was a back way by which to arrive at that distinction which they could not gain by riches.

Truth has scarce done so much good in the world as the false appearances of it have done hurt.

No one thinks fortune so blind as those she has been least kind to.

There are but very few men clever enough to know all the mischief they do.

It is easier to deceive yourself, and to do so unperceived, than to deceive another.

We acknowledge that we should not talk of our wives; but we seem not to know that we should talk still less of ourselves.