A man, in order to establish himself in the world, does everything he can to appear established there.

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

Nothing is more contagious than example, and no man does any exceeding good or exceeding ill but it spawns new deeds of the same kind. The good we imitate through emulation, the ill through the malignity of our nature, which shame keeps locked up, but example sets free.

Humility is often a false front we employ to gain power over others.

Humility is the sure evidence of Christian virtues. Without it, we retain all our faults still, and they are only covered over with pride, which hides them from other men's observation, and sometimes from our own too.

Only the contemptible fear contempt.

Weakness is the only fault that is incorrigible.