Nature creates ability; luck provides it with opportunity.

Silence is the safest course for any man to adopt who distrust himself.

A man does not please long when he has only species of wit.

It is as proper to have pride in oneself as it ridiculous to show it to others.

We are never so ridiculous through what we are as through what we pretend to be.

The passions do very often give birth to others of a nature most contrary to their own. Thus avarice sometimes brings forth prodigality, and prodigality avarice; a man's resolution is very often the effect of levity, and his boldness that of cowardice and fear.

The extreme delight we experience in talking about ourselves should warn us that those who listen do not share it.