An ostentatious man will rather relate a blunder or an absurdity he has committed, than be debarred from talking of his own dear person.


I know that a man who shows me his wealth is like the beggar who shows me his poverty; they are both looking for alms from me, the rich man for the alms of my envy, the poor man for the alms of my guilt.


Ostentation is the signal flag of hypocrisy.


Pride is the master sin of the devil, and the devil is the father of lies.


That which is given with pride and ostentation is rather an ambition than a bounty.


The charity that hastens to proclaim its good deeds, ceases to be charity, and is only pride and ostentation.


Whatever is done without ostentation, and without the people being witnesses of it, is, in my opinion, most praiseworthy: not that the public eye should be entirely avoided, for good actions desire to be placed in the light; but notwithstanding this, the greatest theater for virtue is conscience.