The appearances of goodness and merit often meet with a greater reward from the world than goodness and merit themselves.

A man for whom accident discovers sense, is not a rational being. A man only is so who understands, who distinguishes, who tests it.

The passions are the only orators that always persuade: they are, as it were, a natural art, the rules of which are infallible; and the simplest man with passion is more persuasive than the most eloquent without it.

We often make use of envenomed praise, that reveals on the rebound, as it were, defects in those praised which we dare not exposeany other way.

It is as commendable to think well of oneself when alone, as it is ridiculous to speak well of oneself among others.

The more we love, the nearer we are to hate.

The desire which urges us to deserve praise strengthens our good qualities, and praise given to wit, valour, and beauty, tends to increase them.