What seems to be generosity is often no more than disguised ambition, which overlooks a small interest in order to secure a great one.

No man deserves to be praised for his goodness, who has it not in his power to be wicked. Goodness without that power is generally nothing more than sloth, or an impotence of will.

We come altogether fresh and raw into the several stages of life, and often find ourselves without experience, despite our years.

Virtue would not go so far if vanity did not keep it company.

It is no tragedy to do ungrateful people favors, but it is unbearable to be indebted to a scoundrel.

We are never so generous as when giving advice.

Those who give too much attention to trifling things become generally incapable of great things.