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.

The generality of men have, like plants, latent properties, which chance brings to light.

We should scarcely desire things ardently if we were perfectly acquainted with what we desire.

A man may be sharper than another, but not than all others.

We do not praise others, ordinarily, but in order to be praised ourselves.

We may seem great in an employment below our worth, but we very often look little in one that is too big for us.

The gratitude of most men is but a secret desire of receiving greater benefits.