When you descant on the faults of others, consider whether you be not guilty of the same. To gain knowledge of ourselves, the best way is to convert the imperfections of others into a mirror for discovering our own.

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

Seldom do we talk of ourselves with success. If I condemn myself, more is believed than is expressed; if I praise myself, much less.

Nothing more excites to everything noble and generous, than virtuous love.

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

Were wisdom to be sold, she would give no price; every man is satisfied with the share he has from nature.

Custom is the great leveller. It corrects the inequality of fortune by lessening equally the pleasures of the prince and the pains of the peasant.