Humility is often only the putting on of a submissiveness by which men hope to bring other people to submit to them; it is a morecalculated sort of pride, which debases itself with a design of being exalted; and though this vice transform itself into a thousand several shapes, yet the disguise is never more effectual nor more capable of deceiving the world than when concealed under a form of humility.

However great the advantages given us by nature, it is not she alone, but fortune with her, which makes heroes.

The praise we give to new comers into the world arises from the envy we bear to those who are established.

Whatever ignominy or disgrace we have incurred, it is almost always in our power to reestablish our reputation.

Whatever pretended causes we may blame our afflictions upon, it is often nothing but self-interest and vanity that produce them.

The world is full of pots jeering at kettles.

Few things are impracticable in themselves; and it is for want of application, rather than of means, that men fail to succeed.