...greatness sympathises with greatness, and littleness shrinks into itself.

People of genius do not excel in any profession because they work in it, they work in it because they excel.

Success in business is seldom owing to uncommon talents or original power which is untractable and self-willed, but to the greatest degree of commonplace capacity.

Art is the microscope of the mind, which sharpens the wit as the other does the sight; and converts every object into a little universe in itself. Art may be said to draw aside the veil from nature. To those who are perfectly unskilled in the practice, unimbued with the principles of art, most objects present only a confused mass.

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

The truly proud man knows neither superiors or inferiors. The first he does not admit of - the last he does not concern himself about.

The dupe of friendship, and the fool of love; have I not reason to hate and to despise myself? Indeed I do; and chiefly for not having hated and despised the world enough.