Hypocrisy is an homage that vice renders to virtue.

Generally speaking, we would make a good bargain by renouncing all the good that people say of us, upon condition they would say no ill.

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.

Propriety is the least of all laws, and the most observed.

Silence is the best tactic for he who distrusts himself.

Humility is often only a feigned submissiveness by which men hope to bring other people to submit to them; it is a more calculated sort of pride.

Fearlessness is a more than ordinary strength of mind, which raises the soul above the troubles, disorders, and emotions which theprospect of great dangers are used to produce. And by this inward strength it is that heroes preserve themselves in a calm and quiet state, and enjoy a presence of mind and the free use of their reason in the midst of those terrible accidents that amaze and confound other people.