165.—Ability wins us the esteem of the true men, luck that of the people.
166.—The world oftener rewards the appearance of merit than merit itself.
167.—Avarice is more opposed to economy than to liberality.
168.—However deceitful hope may be, yet she carries us on pleasantly to the end of life.
["Hope travels through, nor quits us when we die." Pope: Essay On Man, Ep. ii.]
169.—Idleness and fear keeps us in the path of duty, but our virtue often gets the praise.
["Quod segnitia erat sapientia vocaretur." Tacitus Hist. I.]
170.—If one acts rightly and honestly, it is difficult to decide whether it is the effect of integrity or skill.
171.—As rivers are lost in the sea so are virtues in self.
172.—If we thoroughly consider the varied effects of indifference we find we miscarry more in our duties than in our interests.