However great the advantages given us by nature, it is not she alone, but fortune with her, which makes heroes.

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.

We speak little if not egged on by vanity.

Το know how to profit by good advice, requires nearly as much ability as to know how to act for one'self.

What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given.

In order to succeed in the world people do their upmost to appear successful.

A man, in order to establish himself in the world, does everything he can to appear established there.