One can no more look steadily at death than at the sun.

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

There are heroes of wickedness, as there are of goodness.

It is oftener by the estimation of our own feelings that we exaggerate the good qualities of others than by their merit, and when we praise them we wish to attract their praise.

It is easier to deceive yourself, and to do so unperceived, than to deceive another.

The esteem of good men is the reward of our worth, but the reputation of the world in general is the gift of our fate.

The most violent passions sometimes leave us at rest, but vanity agitates us constantly.