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

We like to read others but we do not like to be read.

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

What makes us so bitter against people who outwit us is that they think themselves cleverer than we are.

We should wish for few things with eagerness, if we perfectly knew the nature of that which was the object of our desire.

It is the habit of mediocre minds to condemn all that is beyond their grasp.

To know how to hide one's ability is great skill.