L. Sprague de Camp

"The jackal fell into a dye pot and thought himself a peacock."

"Now I said: “It’s unjust, Father. A man’s fate should be determined impersonally, on the basis of his virtues and abilities alone, without regard to all these petty personal likes and dislikes.” My father replied: “Perhaps it should be but it isn’t. If they like you, they’ll excuse your faults; if they dislike you, they’ll overlook your virtues.” “Then they’re a lot of stupid fools!” “Are you only just now learning that? But if they are, you won’t change them, not in one lifetime."

"As they say, no tears are shed when an enemy dies."

"The only sure defense against reproach, sir, is obscurity."

"“Cold comfort,” said Bloch. “Like most oracular verse, full of vague ominous intimations of nothing in particular.”"

"Not even a god, they say, could be at once wise and in love."