It is a singular characteristic of love that we cannot hide it where it exists, or pretend it where it does not exist.

Social intercourse, even friendship among most people, is a merely a business arrangement that lasts only so long as there is need.

When High and Mighty people want to make us believe that they possess some good quality which they in fact do not have, it is dangerous to show that you doubt them; because, by removing their hope of deceiving the world, you also remove their desire to perform the good acts that might have arisen from their very pretensions.

Wealth does not teach us to transcend the desire for wealth. The possession of many goods does not bring the repose of not desiring them.

It is a singular characteristic of love that we cannot hide it where it exists, or pretend it where it does not exist.

We would often rather seem dutiful to others than to succeed in our duties; and often we would rather tell our friends that we have done them good than to do good in actuality.

When an opinionated person starts to challenge something, his mind shuts out all that could clear up the matter. The argument irritates him, however just it might be, and it seems that he is afraid of discovering the truth.