What subterfuges are resorted to by these pretended modest men of genius, to extort that praise from their private circle which is thus openly denied them! They have been taken by surprise enlarging their own panegyric, which might rival Pliny's on Trajan, for care and copiousness; or impudently veiling themselves with the transparency of a third person; or never prefixing their name to the volume, which they would not easily forgive a friend to pass unnoticed.
Self-love is a principle of action; but among no class of human beings has nature so profusely distributed this principle of life and action as through the whole sensitive family of genius.

It reaches even to a feminine susceptibility.

The love of praise is instinctive in their nature.

Praise with them is the evidence of the past and the pledge of the future.

The generous qualities and the virtues of a man of genius are really produced by the applause conferred on him.