The desire which urges us to deserve praise strengthens our good qualities, and praise given to wit, valour, and beauty, tends to increase them.

There are some persons who only disgust with their abilities, there are persons who please even with their faults.

Some weak people are so sensible of their weakness as to be able to make a good use of it.

The hate of favourites is only a love of favour. The envy of NOT possessing it, consoles and softens its regrets by the contempt it evinces for those who possess it, and we refuse them our homage, not being able to detract from them what attracts that of the rest of the world.

Fortune mends more faults in us than ever reason would be able to do.

It is most difficult to speak when we are ashamed of being silent.

Perfect courage and utter cowardice are two extremes which rarely occur.