People would not long remain in social life if they were not the dupes of each other.

The largest ambition has the least appearance of ambition when it meets with an absolute impossibility in compassing its object.

The height of ability consists in a thorough knowledge of the real value of things, and of the genius of the age in which we live.

There are heroes of wickedness, as there are of goodness.

When we exaggerate our friends' tenderness towards us, it is often less from gratitude than from a desire to exhibit our own virtue.

To achieve greatness one should live as if they will never die.

It is sometimes a point of as much cleverness to know to make good use of advice from others as to be able give good advice to oneself.