C.N. Douglas, comp. Forty Thousand Quotations: Prose and Poetical. 1917.
Interest
Interest makes all seem reason that leads to it.
The virtues and vices are all put in motion by interest.
The instinct of interest is the universal instinct of mankind.
As the interest of man, so his God; as his God, so he.
Interest blinds some people, and enlightens others.
Interest speaks all languages, and acts all parts, even that of disinterestedness itself.
Interest is the spur of the people, but glory that of great souls.
It is more than possible, that those who have neither character nor honor may be wounded in a very tender part,—their interest.
When interest is at variance with conscience, any distinction to make them friends will serve the hollow hearted.
How difficult a thing it is to persuade a man to reason against his own interest, though he is convinced that equity is against him.
Our interests are grains of opium to our consciences, but they only put it to sleep for a terrible awakening.
Interest has the security, though not the virtue of a principle. As the world goes, it is the surest side; for men daily leave both relations and religion to follow it.
Interest makes some people blind and others quick-sighted. We promise according to our hopes, and perform according to our fears. Virtues are lost in interest, as rivers are swallowed up in the sea.