Everyone agrees that a secret should be kept intact, but everyone does not agree as to the nature and importance of secrecy. Too often we consult ourselves as to what we should say, what we should leave unsaid. There are few permanent secrets, and the scruple against revealing them will not last forever.

We should not be upset that others hide the truth from us, when we hide it so often from ourselves.

Those only are despicable who fear to be despised.

Taste may change, but inclination never.

The moderation of people in prosperity is the effect of a smooth and composed temper, owing to the calm of their good fortune.

We often select envenomed praise which, by a reaction upon those we praise, shows faults we could not have shown by other means.

Those who give too much attention to trifling things become generally incapable of great ones.