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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Physiognomy is not a guide that has been given us by which to judge of the character of men: it may only serve us for conjecture
Between good sense and good taste there is the difference between cause and effect
A fool is one whom simpletons believe to be a man on merit
We never deceive for a good purpose: knavery adds malice to falsehood
We hope to grow old and we dread old age; that is to say, we love life and we flee from death
We dread old age, which are not sure of being able to attain
Most men employ the first part of life to make the other part miserable
Children have neither past nor future; and that which seldom happens to us, they rejoice in the present
There are but two ways of rising in the world: either by one's own industry or profiting by the foolishness of others
You think him to be your dupe; if he feigns to be so who is the greater dupe, he or you?
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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