We should often feel ashamed of our best actions if the world could see all the motives which produced them.

Self-love is more cunning than the most cunning man in the world.

We always get bored with those whom we bore.

Though men are apt to flatter and exalt themselves with their great achievements, yet these are, in truth, very often owing not so much to design as chance.

Humility is the altar upon which God wishes that we should offer Him His sacrifices.

As it is the characteristic of great wits to say much in few words, so small wits seem to have the gift of speaking much and saying nothing.

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