The temperament that produces a talent for little things is the opposite of that required for great ones.

Humility is the worst form of conceit.

We like to read others but we do not like to be read.

Gratitude is like the good faith of traders: it maintains commerce, and we often pay, not because it is just to discharge our debts, but that we may more readily find people to trust us.

However much we may distrust men's sincerity, we always believe they speak to us more sincerely than to others.

The temperament that produces a talent for little things is the opposite of that required for great ones.

The passions do very often give birth to others of a nature most contrary to their own. Thus avarice sometimes brings forth prodigality, and prodigality avarice; a man's resolution is very often the effect of levity, and his boldness that of cowardice and fear.