Our merit gains us the esteem of the virtuous-our star that of the public.

The temperament that produces a talent for little things is the opposite of that required for great ones.

Jealousy is not so much the love of another as the love of ourselves.

Intrepidity is an extraordinary strength of soul, which raises it above the troubles, disorders and emotions which the sight of great perils can arouse in it; by this strength heroes maintain a calm aspect and preserve their reason and liberty in the most surprising and terrible accidents.

Penetration has an air of divination; it pleases our vanity more than any other quality of the mind.

The accent of one's birthplace remains in the mind and in the heart as in one's speech.

In the presence of some people we inevitably depart From ourselves: we are inaccurate, we say things we do not feel, And talk nonsense. When we get home we are conscious that we Have made fools of ourselves. Never go near these people.