Nothing so uncertain as general reputation. A man injures me from humor, passion, or interest; hates me because he has injured me; and speaks ill of me because he hates me.

Whoever appears to have much cunning has in reality very little; being deficient in the essential article, which is, to hide cunning.

If you should escape the censure of others, hope not to escape your own.

The truly generous is the truly wise, and he who loves not others lives unblest!

The sordid meal of the Cynics contributed neither to their tranquillity nor to their modesty. Pride went with Diogenes into his tub; and there he had the presumption to command Alexander the haughtiest of all men.

A relation is formed betwixt every man and the fruits of his own labour, the very thing we call property, which he himself is sensible of, and of which every other is equally sensible. Yours and mine are terms in all languages, familiar among savages, and understood even by children. This is a fact, which every human creature can testify.

Even dress is apt to inflame a man's opinion of himself.