Luc de
Luc de
men office mediocrity
Mediocre men sometimes fear great office, and when they do not aim at it, or when they refuse it, all that is to be concluded is that they are aware of their mediocrity.
evil cures
Necessity embitters the evils which it cannot cure.
trouble reason moderates
Necessity moderates more troubles than reason.
peace men nations
Peace renders nations happier and men weaker.
drinking world body
The heaviest object in the world is the body of the woman you have ceased to love.
truth peculiar conviction
When we are convinced of some great truths, and feel our convictions keenly, we must not fear to express it, although others have said it before us. Every thought is new when an author expresses it in a manner peculiar to himself.
philosophy philosopher sincerity
Clearness marks the sincerity of philosophers.
ignorance men natural-talent
Superficial knowledge ... is hurtful to those who possess true genius; for it necessarily draws them away from their main object, wastes their industry over details and subjects foreign to their needs and natural talent, and lastly does not serve, as they flatter themselves, to prove the breadth of their mind. In all ages there have been men of very moderate intelligence who knew much, and so on the contrary, men of the highest intelligence who knew very little. Ignorance is not lack of intelligence, nor knowledge a proof of genius.
appreciation people littles
If people did not compliment one another there would be little society.
men luxury giving
You can purchase the mind of Pascal for a crown. Pleasures even cheaper are sold to those who give themselves up to them. It is only luxuries and objects of caprice that are rare and difficult to obtain; unfortunately they are the only things that touch the curiosity and taste of ordinary men.
success simplicity weak
When a thought is too weak to be expressed simply, it should be rejected.
inspirational fear men
There is nothing that fear and hope does not permit men to do.
opportunity evil design
We have neither the strength nor the opportunity to accomplish all the good and all the evil which we design.
happiness fruit pleasure
The fruit derived from labor is the sweetest of pleasures.