It is with certain good qualities as with the senses; those who have them not can neither appreciate nor comprehend them in others.

To achieve greatness one should live as if they will never die.

We often in our misfortunes take that for constancy and patience which is only dejection of mind; we suffer without daring to holdup our heads, just as cowards let themselves be knocked on the head because they have not courage to strike back.

No matter how much care we put into hiding our passions under the appearances of devotion and honor, they can always be seen to peer out through these covers.

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

It is not expedient or wise to examine our friends too closely; few persons are raised in our esteem by a close examination.

There may be talent without position, but there is no position without some kind of talent.