Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on.

Narrow minds think nothing right that is above their own capacity.

A lofty mind always thinks nobly, it easily creates vivid, agreeable, and natural fancies, places them in their best light, clothes them with all appropriate adornments, studies others' tastes, and clears away from its own thoughts all that is useless and disagreeable.

We often credit ourselves with vices the reverse of what we have, thus when weak we boast of our obstinacy.

To praise great actions with sincerity may be said to be taking part in them.

Conceit causes more conversation than wit.

Only the great can afford to have great defects.