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It is great folly to wish to be wise all alone.
Though men are apt to flatter and exalt themselves with their great achievements, yet these are, in truth, very often owing not so much to design as chance.
Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
However greatly we distrust the sincerity of those we converse with, yet still we think they tell more truth to us than to anyone else.
We are so used to dissembling with others that in time we come to deceive and dissemble with ourselves.
When we disclaim praise, it is only showing our desire to be praised a second time.
If we resist our passions, it is more due to their weakness than our strength.
We all have enough strength to endure the misfortunes of others.
There are a great many men valued in society who have nothing to recommend them but serviceable vices.
Our aversion to lying is commonly a secret ambition to make what we say considerable, and have every word received with a religious respect.