Nature has concealed at the bottom of our minds talents and abilities of which we are not aware.

Our wisdom lies as much at the mercy of fortune as our possessions do.

If we did not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others could never harm us.

We do not despise all those who have vices, but we do despise those that have no virtue.

What makes false reckoning, as regards gratitude, is that the pride of the giver and the receiver cannot agree as to the value of the benefit.

We label judges with having the meanest motives, and yet we desire that our reputation and fame should depend upon the judgment of men, who are all, either from their jealousy or preoccupation or want of intelligence, opposed to us - and yet despite their bias, just for the sake of making these men decide in our favor, we peril in so many ways both our peace and our life.

Eloquence resides as much in the tone of voice, in the eyes, and in the expression of the face, as in the choice of words.