True friendship is self-love at second hand; where, as in a flattering mirror we may see our virtues magnified and our errors softened, and where we may fancy our opinion of ourselves confirmed by an impartial and faithful witness.

Love at first sight is only realizing an imagination that has always haunted us; or meeting with a face, a figure, or cast of expression in perfection that we have seen and admired in a less degree or in less favorable circumstances a hundred times before.

Nothing gives such a blow to friendship as the detecting another in an untruth. It strikes at the root of our confidence ever after.

We grow tired of ourselves, much more of other people.

Knowledge is pleasure as well as power.

Those who are pleased with the fewest things know the least, as those who are pleased with everything know nothing.

We are not satisfied to be right, unless we can prove others to be quite wrong.