Every man is valued in this world as he shows by his conduct that he wishes to be valued.

Two quite opposite qualities equally bias our minds - habits and novelty.

False modesty is the masterpiece of vanity: showing the vain man in such an illusory light that he appears in the reputation of the virtue quite opposite to the vice which constitutes his real character; it is a deceit.

I am told so many ill things of a man, and I see so few in him, that I begin to suspect he has a real but troublesome merit, as being likely to eclipse that of others.

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

It is motive alone that gives real value to the actions of men, and disinterestedness puts the cap to it.

As long as men are liable to die and are desirous to live, a physician will be made fun of, but he will be well paid.