It is a great act of cleverness to be able to conceal one's being clever.

All men are equally proud. The only difference is that not all take the same methods of showing it.

The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.

Listening well and answering well is one of the greatest perfections that can be obtained in conversation.

Innocence is lucky if it finds the same protection as guilt

What we call generosity is for the most part only the vanity of giving; and we exercise it because we are more fond of that vanity than of the thing we give.

One man may be more cunning than another, but no one can be more cunning than all the world.