When a man gits tew talking about himself, he seldum fails tew be eloquent, and often reaches the sublime.

It is difficult for a man to speak long of himself without vanity.

...a great man. But...not quite great enough.

[Of Lord Chesterfield] This man, I thought, had been a Lord among wits; but, I find, he is only a wit among Lords!

If it was not for the company of fools, a witty man would often be greatly at a loss.

It is a poor centre of a man's actions, himself.

"That man is … odd," I dared say to William.
"He is, or has been, in many ways a great man. But for this very reason he is odd. It is only petty men who seem normal."

Every really able man, in whatever direction he work,—a man of large affairs, an inventor, a statesman, an orator, a poet, a painter,—if you talk sincerely with him, considers his work, however much admired, as far short of what it should be.