There is no better proof of a man's being truly good than his desiring to be constantly under the observation of good men.
A refusal of praise is a desire to be praised twice.
When we disclaim praise, it is only showing our desire to be praised a second time.
Politeness is a desire to be treated politely, and to be esteemed polite oneself.
There are various sorts of curiosity; one is from interest, which makes us desire to know that which may be useful to us; and the other, from pride which comes from the wish to know what others are ignorant of.
We never desire strongly, what we desire rationally.
Our desires always disappoint us; for though we meet with something that gives us satisfaction, yet it never thoroughly answers our expectation. [However disappointment can always be removed if we remember it could have turned out worse.]
The desire of talking of ourselves, and showing those faults we do not mind having seen, makes up a good part of our sincerity.
There are few things we should keenly desire if we really knew what we wanted.
A great many men's gratitude is nothing but a secret desire to hook in more valuable kindnesses hereafter.
The desire to seem clever often keeps us from being so.
We should desire very few things passionately if we did but perfectly know the nature of the things we desire.
Nothing prevents one from appearing natural as the desire to appear natural.
It is difficult to define love; all we can say is, that in the soul it is a desire to rule, in the mind it is a sympathy, and in the body it is a hidden and delicate wish to possess what we love-Plus many mysteries.
Civility is a desire to receive civilities, and to be accounted well-bred.
Men never desire anything very eagerly which they desire only by the dictates of reason.
We do not wish ardently for what we desire only through reason.
When we seek reconciliation with our enemies, it is commonly out of a desire to better our own condition, a being harassed and tired out with a state of war, and a fear of some ill accident which we are willing to prevent.
The desire of appearing clever often prevents our becoming so.
Were we perfectly acquainted with the object, we should never passionately desire it.
The moderation of men in the most exalted fortunes is a desire to be thought above those things that have raised them so high.
We label judges with having the meanest motives, and yet we desire that our reputation and fame should depend upon the judgment of men, who are all, either from their jealousy or preoccupation or want of intelligence, opposed to us - and yet despite their bias, just for the sake of making these men decide in our favor, we peril in so many ways both our peace and our life.
Love of fame, fear of disgrace, schemes for advancement, desire to make life comfortable and pleasant, and the urge to humiliate others are often at the root of the valour men hold in such high esteem.
The contempt of riches in the philosophers was a concealed desire of revenging on fortune the injustice done to their merit, by despising the good she denied them.
Moderation is caused by the fear of exciting the envy and contempt which those merit who are intoxicated with their good fortune; it is a vain display of our strength of mind, and in short the moderation of men at their greatest height is only a desire to appear greater than their fortune.
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