Men of strong affections are jealous of their own genius. They fear lest they should be loved for a quality, and not for themselves.

Fame confers a rank above that of gentleman and of kings. As soon as she issues her patent of nobility, it matters not a straw whether the recipient be the son of a Bourbon or of a tallow-chandler.

The brave man wants no charms to encourage him to his duty, and the good man scorns all warnings that would deter him from fulfilling it.

A man's ancestry is a positive property to him.

People praise us behind our backs, but we hear them not; few before our faces, and who is not suspicious of the truth of such praise?

Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.

To be happy, you must learn to forget yourself.