There are few people more convinced of their own genius than those who complain of how stupid they are.

Perfect valour consists in doing without witnesses that which we would be capable of doing before everyone.

What makes us so bitter against people who outwit us is that they think themselves cleverer than we are.

There is merit without rank, but there is no rank without some merit.

There are very few things impossible in themselves; and we do not want means to conquer difficulties so much as application and resolution in the use of means.

We are so used to dissembling with others that in time we come to deceive and dissemble with ourselves.

In the intercourse of life, we please more by our faults than by our good qualities.