The breeding we give young people is ordinarily but an additional self-love, by which we make them have a better opinion of themselves.

Men are inconsolable concerning the treachery of their friends or the deceptions of their enemies; and yet they are often very highly satisfied to be both deceived and betrayed by their own selves.

Self-love increases or diminishes for us the good qualities of our friends, in proportion to the satisfaction we feel with them; and we judge of their merit by the manner in which they act towards us.

The desire of talking of ourselves, and showing those faults we do not mind having seen, makes up a good part of our sincerity.

Love often leads on to ambition, but seldom does one return from ambition to love.

The person giving the advice returns the confidence placed in him with a disinterested eagerness... and he is usually guided only by his own interest or reputation.

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