Nature, who for the perfect maintenance of the laws of her general equilibrium, has sometimes need of vices and sometimes of virtues, inspires now this impulse, now that one, in accordance with what she requires.

All, all is theft, all is unceasing and rigorous competition in nature; the desire to make off with the substance of others is the foremost / the most legitimate / passion nature has bred into us and, without doubt, the most agreeable one.

Man's natural character is to imitate; that of the sensitive man is to resemble as closely as possible the person whom he loves. It is only by imitating the vices of others that I have earned my misfortunes.

Our virtues are most frequently but vices in disguise.

I cannot," said he, "expect everyone to have my virtues. It's good enough to meet with my vices...

Vices are sometimes only virtues carried to excess!