Martyrdom is the only way a man can become famous without ability.

Martyrdom: The only way a man can become famous without ability.

Natural abilities can almost compensate for the want of every kind of cultivation, but no cultivation of the mind can make up for the want of natural abilities.

Honor means that a man is not exceptional; fame, that he is. Fame is something which must be won; honor, only something which must not be lost.

A man can be himself only so long as he is alone, and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom, for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.

With people of only moderate ability modesty is mere honesty; but with those who possess great talent it is hypocrisy