I say that conceit is just as natural a thing to human minds as a centre is to a circle.

But little-minded people's thoughts move in such small circles that five minutes' conversation gives you an arc long enough to determine their whole curve.

An arc in the movement of a large intellect does not sensibly differ from a straight line.

Even if it have the third vowel as its centre, it does not soon betray it.

The highest thought, that is, is the most seemingly impersonal; it does not obviously imply any individual centre.
Audacious self-esteem, with good ground for it, is always imposing.
What resplendent beauty that must have been which could have authorized Phryne to "peel" in the way she did! What fine speeches are those two: "Non omnis mortar," and "I have taken all knowledge to be my province"! Even in common people, conceit has the virtue of making them cheerful; the man who thinks his wife, his baby, his house, his horse, his dog, and himself severally unequalled, is almost sure to be a good-humored person, though liable to be tedious at times.
-- What are the great faults of conversation?
Want of ideas, want of words, want of manners, are the principal ones, I suppose you think.