Humility is often only a feigned submissiveness by which men hope to bring other people to submit to them; it is a more calculated sort of pride.

Humility is often a false front we employ to gain power over others.

It is as easy to deceive one's self without perceiving it, as it is difficult to deceive others without their finding out.

It is often hard to determine whether a clear, open, and honorable proceeding is the result of goodness or of cunning.

People are more slanderous from vanity than from malice.

We give advice, we do not inspire conduct.

Moderation is an ostentatious proof of our strength of character.