We nearly always make ourselves masters of those whom we know well, because he who is thoroughly understood is in some sense subject to those who und….

It is an admirable skill to able to sweeten a refusal with civil words which atone for the favor which we are not able to grant..

It is a very trying task for deceitful people, always to have to cover up their lack of sincerity and to repair the breaking of their word..

Even the best-natured people, if uninstructed, are always blind and uncertain. We must take pains to instruct ourselves so that ignorance makes us ne….

When High and Mighty people want to make us believe that they possess some good quality which they in fact do not have, it is dangerous to show that ….

It is base to take advantage of our rank or greatness by making fun of those placed beneath us in life..

There are many people who are so inclined to say "no" that the "no" always precedes whatever we say to them. This negative quality makes them so disa….

Ignorance makes for weakness and fear; knowledge gives strength and confidence. Nothing surprises an intellect that knows all things with a sense of ….

There are petty-minded people who cannot endure to be reminded of their ignorance because, since they are usually quite blind to all things, quite fo….

We learn as much by others' failings as by their teachings. Examples of imperfection is just as useful for achieving perfection as are models of comp….

When people reproach us, they only increase their own failings even as they are disclaiming them..

We think highly of men when we do not know the extent of their capabilities, for we always suppose that more exists when we only see half..

The loftiness of understanding embraces all. It requires as much spirit to suffer the failings of others as it does to appreciate their good qualitie….