We never deceive for a good purpose: knavery adds malice to falsehood.

A pious man is one who would be an atheist if the king were.

I am told so many ill things of a man, and I see so few in him, that I begin to suspect he has a real but troublesome merit, as being likely to eclipse that of others.

The exact contrary of what is generally believed is often the truth.

The Great slight the men of wit, who have nothing but wit; the men of wit despise the Great, who have nothing but greatness; the good man pities them both, if with greatness or wit they have not virtue.

A man of the world must seem to be what he wishes to be thought.

All men's misfortunes spring from their hatred of being alone.