Moderation is caused by the fear of exciting the envy and contempt which those merit who are intoxicated with their good fortune; it is a vain display of our strength of mind, and in short the moderation of men at their greatest height is only a desire to appear greater than their fortune.

Truth does not do as much good in the world as its imitations do harm.

Boredom ... causes us to neglect more duties than does interest.

Neither the sun nor death can be looked at steadily.

We are never so generous as when giving advice.

There is a form of eminence which does not depend on fate; it is an air which sets us apart and seems to prtend great things; it is the value which we unconsciously attach to ourselves; it is the quality which wins us deference of others; more than birth, position, or ability, it gives us ascendance.

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