Where there is much pretension, much has been borrowed; nature never pretends.

Have I done aught of value to my fellow-men? Then have I done much for myself.

The more any one speaks of himself, the less he likes to hear another talked of.

She whom smiles and tears make equally lovely may command all hearts.

The prudent see only the difficulties, the bold only the advantages, of a great enterprise; the hero sees both; diminishes the former and makes the latter preponderate, and so conquers.

His calumny is not only the greatest benefit a rogue can confer on us, but the only service he will perform for nothing.

Thinkers are scarce as gold; but he whose thoughts embrace all his subject, and who pursues it uninterruptedly and fearless of consequences, is a diamond of enormous size.