Young people are arrogant, for they live in the society of their own kind, who are all nothing but like to seem much. There will be few who, when they are in want of matter for conversation, do not reveal the more secret affairs of their friends. Sometimes in the course of conversation the sound of our own voice disconcerts us and misleads us into making assertions which in no way correspond to our opinions. It is much more pleasant to offend and later ask forgiveness than to be offended and forgive. He who does the former gives token of power and afterwards of quality of character.
Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies.
People who comprehend a thing to its very depths rarely stay faithful to it for ever. Man is very well defended against himself, against being reconnoitred and besieged by himself, he is usually able to perceive of himself only his outer walls. The actual fortress is inaccessible, even invisible to him, unless his friends and enemies play the traitor and conduct him in by a secret path. Never to speak about oneself is a very noble piece of hypocrisy. He who lives for the sake of combating an enemy has an interest in seeing that his enemy stays alive.