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.
The gratitude of most men is but a secret desire of receiving greater benefits.
However wicked men may be, they do not dare openly to appear the enemies of virtue, and when they desire to persecute her they either pretend to believe her false or attribute crimes to her.
When we enlarge upon the affection our friends have for us, this is very often not so much out of a sense of gratitude as from a desire to persuade people of our own great worth, that can deserve so much kindness.
The desire which urges us to deserve praise strengthens our good qualities, and praise given to wit, valour, and beauty, tends to increase them.
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.
We should desire very few things passionately if we did but perfectly know the nature of the things we desire.
We do not wish ardently for what we desire only through reason.
Men never desire anything very eagerly which they desire only by the dictates of reason.
The desire of appearing clever often prevents our becoming so.
Were we perfectly acquainted with the object, we should never passionately desire it.
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.
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.
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