Nicolas Chamfort
Nicolas Chamfort
Sébastien-Roch Nicolas, also known as Chamfort, was a French writer, best known for his witty epigrams and aphorisms. He was secretary to Louis XVI's sister, and of the Jacobin club...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionWriter
Date of Birth6 April 1741
CountryFrance
real everyday deeds
Real worth requires no interpreter: its everyday deeds form its emblem.
humor independent cry
Nature never said to me: Do not be poor; still less did she say: Be rich; her cry to me was always: Be independent.
opportunity doors life-opportunity
Do not suppose opportunity will knock twice at your door.
wise wisdom men
There are more fools than wise men, and even in a wise man there is more folly than wisdom.
stupid reign public-opinion
Public opinion reigns in society because stupidity reigns among the stupid.
funny-friend pay three
I have three kinds of friends: those who love me, those who pay no attention to me, and those who detest me.
happiness opportunity mind
I only study the things I like; I apply my mind only to matters that interest me. They'll be useful-or useless-to me or to others in due course, I'll be given-or not given-the opportunity of benefiting from what I've learned. In any case, I'll have enjoyed the inestimable advantage of doing things I like doing and following my own inclinations.
thinking water rose
Do you think that revolutions are made with rose water?
love-is reason amusing
Love is more pleasant than marriage for the same reason that novels are more amusing than history.
giving evil down-and
There aren't many benefactors who don't say, like Satan: All these things will I give you if you bow down and worship me.
fool trifles wells
There some trifles well habited, as there are some fools well clothed.
generosity needs ruffles
We need to be just before we are generous, as we need shirts before ruffles.
reality may illusion
Pleasure may come from illusion, but happiness can come only of reality.
marriage
Marriage, as practised by high society, is arranged indecency.