A really great man has always an idea of something greater than himself.

Cunning is the art of concealing our own defects, and discovering other people's weaknesses.

An orator can hardly get beyond commonplaces: if he does he gets beyond his hearers.

Spleen can subsist on any kind of food.

The most insignificant people are the most apt to sneer at others. They are safe from reprisals. And have no hope of rising in their own self esteem but by lowering their neighbors.

I do not think that what is called Love at first sight is so great an absurdity as it is sometimes imagined to be. We generally make up our minds beforehand to the sort of person we should like, grave or gay, black, brown, or fair; with golden tresses or raven locks; - and when we meet with a complete example of the qualities we admire, the bargain is soon struck.

The insolence of the vulgar is in proportion to their ignorance. They treat everything with contempt which they do not understand.