No fools are so difficult to manage as those with some brains.

We are almost always bored by just those whom we must not find boring.

There are no accidents so unlucky from which clever people are not able to reap some advantage, and none so lucky that the foolish are not able to turn them to their own disadvantage.

None deserve praise for being good who have not the spirit to be bad: goodness, for the most part, is nothing but indolence or weakness of will.

We sometimes imagine we hate flattery, but we only hate the way we are flattered.

Some crimes get honor and renown by being committed with more pomp, by a greater number, and in a higher degree of wickedness thanothers. Hence it is that public robberies, plunderings, and sackings have been looked upon as excellencies and noble achievements, and the seizing of whole countries, however unjustly and barbarously, is dignified with the glorious name of gaining conquests.

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