Many men are contemptuous of riches; few can give them away.

Magnanimity is sufficiently defined by its name, nevertheless one can say it is the good sense of pride, the most noble way of receiving praise.

The desire of appearing clever often prevents our becoming so.

Truth is the foundation and the reason of the perfection of beauty, for of whatever stature a thing may be, it cannot be beautiful-and perfect, unless it be truly what it should be, and possess truly all that it should have.

Sometimes we think we dislike flattery, but it is only the way it is done that we dislike.

History never embraces more than a small part of reality

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.