Gross ignorance produces a dogmatic spirit. He who knows nothing thinks he can teach others what he has himself just been learning. He who knows much scarcely believes that what he is saying is unknown to others, and consequently speaks with more hesitation.

La Bruy?re

All confidence is dangerous unless it is complete; there are few circumstances in which it is not better either to hide all or to tell all.

Eminent positions make eminent men greater and little men less. by La Bruy?re

Eminent positions make eminent men greater and little men less.

It is the character of a simpleton to be a bore. A man of sense sees at once whether he is welcome or tiresome; he knows to withdraw the moment that precedes that in which he would be in the least in the way.

Liberality consists less in giving much than in giving at the rig... by La Bruy?re

Liberality consists less in giving much than in giving at the right moment.

The greater part of mankind employ their first years to make thei... by La Bruy?re

The greater part of mankind employ their first years to make their last miserable.

There is nothing keeps longer than a middling fortune, and nothing melts away sooner than a great one. Poverty treads upon the heels of great and unexpected riches.

We are more sociable and get on better with people by the heart t... by La Bruy?re

We are more sociable and get on better with people by the heart than the intellect.

Women are ever in extremes, they are either better or worse than... by La Bruy?re

Women are ever in extremes, they are either better or worse than men.