We meet With few utterly dull and stupid souls: the sublime and transcendent are still fewer; the generality of mankind stand between these two extremes: the interval is filled with multitudes of ordinary geniuses, but all very useful, and the ornaments and supports of the commonwealth.

Genius and great abilities are often wanting; sometimes, only opportunities. Some deserve praise for what they have done; others for what they would have done.

If it be usual to be strongly impressed by things that are scarce, why are we so little impressed by virtue?

A position of eminence makes a great person greater and a small person less.

Such a great misfortune, not to be able to be alone.

A man has made great progress in cunning when he does not seem too clever to others.

An egotist will always speak of himself, either in praise or in censure, but a modest man ever shuns making himself the subject of his conversation.