We sometimes imagine we hate flattery, but we only hate the way we are flattered.

Great names abase, instead of elevating, those who do not know how to bear them.

The art of putting into play mediocre qualities often begets more reputation than is achieved by true merit.

Humility is often only feigned submission which people use to render others submissive. It is a subterfuge of pride which lowers itself in order to rise.

We are inconsolable at being deceived by our enemies and being betrayed by our friends, yet we are often content in be being treated like that by our own selves.

There are but very few men clever enough to know all the mischief they do.

Nothing is more ridiculous in old people that were once good-looking, than to forget that they are not so still.