Those who occupy their minds with small matters, generally become incapable of greatness.

We do not lack strength so much as the will to use it; and very often our imagining that things are impossible is nothing but an excuse of our own contriving, to reconcile ourselves to our own idleness.

There are some people upon whom their very faults and failings sit gracefully; and there are others whose very excellencies and accomplishments do not become them.

Timidity is a fault for which it is dangerous to reprove persons whom we wish to correct of it.

The world more often rewards the appearances of merit than merit itself.

Flattery is a base coin which is current only through our vanity.

Self-love is the love of a man's own self, and of everything else for his own sake. It makes people idolaters to themselves, and tyrants to all the world besides.