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

Affected simplicity is a subtle imposture.

Youth changes its tastes by the warmth of its blood; age retains its tastes by habit.

Great and glorious events which dazzle the beholder are represented by politicians as the outcome of grand designs whereas they are usually products of temperaments and passions.

We exaggerate the glory of some men in order to detract from that of others.

The cunningest dissimulation is when a man pretends to be caught in the traps others set for him; and a man is never so easily over-reached as when he is contriving to over-reach others.

Envy is more irreconcilable than hatred.