We prefer ourselves to others, only because we a have more intimate consciousness and confirmed opinion of our own claims and merits than of any other person's.

A man who does not endeavour to seem more than he is will generally be thought nothing of. We habitually make such large deductions for pretence and imposture that no real merit will stand against them. It is necessary to set off our good qualities with a certain air of plausibility and self-importance, as some attention to fashion is necessary.

Fashion is gentility running away from vulgarity and afraid of being overtaken

Let a man's talents or virtues be what they may, he will only feel satisfaction in his society as he is satisfied in himself.

Poetry is the universal language which the heart holds with nature and itself. He who has a contempt for poetry, cannot have much respect for himself, or for anything else.

To impress the idea of power on others, they must be made in some way to feel it.

Avarice is the miser's dream, as fame is the poet's.