"When we disclaim praise, it is only..." - Quote by Francois De La Rochefoucauld

“Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on.”

“On why I don't trust democracy without extremely powerful systems of accountability and recall What seems to be generosity is often only disguised ambition - which despises small interests to gain great ones.”

“Nothing ought more to humiliate men who have merited great praise than the care they still take to boast of little things.”

“Wise people prefer to benefit from constructive criticism rather than be ruined by false praise”

“Complain and remain. Praise and be raised.”

“Get someone else to blow your horn and the sound will carry twice as far.”

“[On vanity:] The nose of Cleopatra: if it had been shorter, the face of the earth would have changed.”

“Stupidity talks, vanity acts.”

“True power and true politeness are above vanity.”