Jean de La Bruy�re
France
16 Aug 1645 // 11 May 1696
Writer / Moralist
16 Aug 1645 // 11 May 1696
Writer / Moralist
Quotes
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A position of eminence makes a great person greater and a small person less
A man of the world must seem to be what he wishes to be thought
Intelligence is to genius as the whole is in proportion to its part
Incivility is not a vice of the soul, but the effect of several vices; of vanity, ignorance of duty, laziness, stupidity, distraction, contempt of others, and jealousy
If poverty is the mother of crimes, want of good sense is the father
Great things astonish us, and small dishearten us. Custom makes both familiar
Languages are no more than the keys of sciences. He who despises one, slights the other
Pure friendship is something which men of an inferior intellect can never taste
One faithful friend is enough for a man's self, 'tis much to meet with such an one, yet we can't have too many for the sake of others
Love and friendship exclude each other
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On Anger: "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."
Essays
Essays
On Destiny: "Our destiny exercises its influence over us even when, as yet, we have not learned its nature: it is our future that lays down the law of our today."
Human, All Too Human
Human, All Too Human
On Friendship: "A crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love."
Essays
Essays