Jean de La Bruyere

When we praise other people it is because we think that they look like us; often to respect a person means to put him on the same level as oneself.

As rules go, “You should behave just as other people behave” is among the most dangerous; it almost always results in your behaving badly.

The very shortcomings which make others difficult and unbearable mean less in yourself. You do not see them, and when you speak of other people having these drawbacks, you do not notice that you are describing yourself.

He who is kind does good for other people. And if a person suffers while he does kind deeds, he becomes an even better person.

A flatterer speaks his flattery because he has a low opinion of himself and of others.