There is this paradox in pride - it makes some men ridiculous, but prevents others from becoming so.

There is this of good in real evils; they deliver us, while they last, from the petty despotism of all that were imaginary.

Doubt is the vestibule through which all must pass before they can enter into the temple of wisdom.

Of present fame think little, and of future less; the praises that we receive after we are buried, like the flowers that are strewed over our grave, may be gratifying to the living, but they are nothing to the dead.

Nothing more completely baffles one who is full of trick and duplicity himself, than straight forward and simple integrity in another.

Very great personages are not likely to form very just estimates either of others or of themselves; their knowledge of themselves is obscured by the flattery of others; their knowledge of others is equally clouded by circumstances peculiar to themselves. For in the presence of the great, the modest are sure to suffer from too much diffidence, and the confident from too much display.

Suicide sometimes proceeds from cowardice, but not always; for cowardice sometimes prevents it; since as many live because they are afraid to die, as die because they are afraid to live.