There is no accident so unfortunate but wise men will make some advantage of it, nor any so entirely fortunate but fools may turn it to their own prejudice.

Sometimes accidents happen in life from which we have need of a little madness to extricate ourselves successfully

Second-rate minds usually condemn everything beyond their grasp.

We often credit ourselves with vices the reverse of what we have, thus when weak we boast of our obstinacy.

There is a form of eminence which does not depend on fate; it is an air which sets us apart and seems to prtend great things; it is the value which we unconsciously attach to ourselves; it is the quality which wins us deference of others; more than birth, position, or ability, it gives us ascendance.

It seems that nature, which has so wisely disposed our bodily organs with a view to our happiness, has also bestowed on us pride, to spare us the pain of being aware of our imperfections.

There are a great many men valued in society who have nothing to recommend them but serviceable vices.