When fortune surprises us by giving us an important position, without having led us to it by degrees, or without our being elevated to it by our hopes, it is almost impossible for us to maintain ourselves suitably in it, and appear worthy of possessing it.

We have more ability than will power, and it is often an excuse to ourselves that we imagine that things are impossible.

It is difficult to like those whom we do not esteem; but it is no less so to like those whom we esteem more than ourselves.

Ridicule dishonours more than dishonour.

How can we expect another to keep our secret if we have been unable to keep it ourselves?

The extreme pleasure we take in speaking of ourselves should make us apprehensive that it gives hardly any to those who listen to us.

We would rather speak badly of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.

Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers.

We feel good and ill only in proportion to our self-love.

Affected simplicity is an elegant imposture.