Jack Friedland prefaces his aphorism collection, Reflections on Society and Life, with a quote from Oscar Wilde: “To get into the best society nowadays, one has either to feed people, amuse people or shock people. To be in [society] is merely a bore. But to be out of it simply tragedy.” Friedland’s sayings dissect the psychological motivations behind our social transactions, providing nourishment, amusement and the occasional shock of recognition along the way. A selection:

Narcissism is the other side of self-pity.

The more pleasure something gives us in the short  run, the more difficulties it tends to cause in the long run.

Live life at the extremes, but do it in moderation.

Life is too short to be in it for anything but the long haul.

Success, like beauty, is often in the eye of the beholder.

Obsession is passion without depth.

Ignoring reality is easy—it is getting reality to ignore us that it difficult.