We often pride ourselves on even the most criminal passions, but envy is a timid and shamefaced passion we never dare to acknowledge.

A refusal of praise is a desire to be praised twice.

One is never fortunate or as unfortunate as one imagines.

The fame of great men ought to be judged always by their big, fancy names.

Our actions seem to have their lucky and unlucky stars, to which a great part of that blame and that commendation is due which is given to the actions themselves.

Some weak people are so sensible of their weakness as to be able to make a good use of it.

Humility is often only a feigned submissiveness by which men hope to bring other people to submit to them; it is a more calculated sort of pride.