As it is the characteristic of great wits to say much in few words, so small wits seem to have the gift of speaking much and saying nothing.

The world more often rewards the appearances of merit than merit itself.

There is merit without rank, but there is no rank without some merit.

A man convinced of his own merit will accept misfortune as an honor, for thus can he persuade others, as well as himself, that he is a worthy target for the arrows of fate.

Tastes in young people are changed by natural impetuosity, and in the aged are preserved by habit.

Sincerity is a certain openness of heart. It is to be found in very few, and what we commonly look upon to be so is only a cunningsort of dissimulation, to insinuate ourselves into the confidence of others.

The most effectual way to be deceived is to believe oneself more cunning than one's neighbors.