Ignorance makes for weakness and fear; knowledge gives strength and confidence. Nothing surprises an intellect that knows all things with a sense of discrimination. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable More Quotes by Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable More Quotes From Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Wealth does not teach us to transcend the desire for wealth. The possession of many goods does not bring the repose of not desiring them. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable wealthdoedesire Although most friendships that exist do not merit the name, we can nevertheless make use of them in accordance with our needs, as a kind of commercial venture based on uncertain foundations and in which we are very often deceived. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable foundationnamesneeds This imperiousness which aids us in all things is merely a fitting authority which comes from superior spirit. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable aidsfittingspirit It is vain and useless to survey everything that goes on in the world if our study does not help us mend our ways. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable uselessgoes-ondoe We nearly always make ourselves masters of those whom we know well, because he who is thoroughly understood is in some sense subject to those who understand him. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable wellsunderstandingmasters Just as there is no action weaker or more unreasonable than to submit one's judgment to another's, where there is no advantage to oneself, so also there is nothing greater or wiser than to place oneself unquestioningly under God's judgment by believing in every word He speaks. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable actionjusticebelieve It is an admirable skill to able to sweeten a refusal with civil words which atone for the favor which we are not able to grant. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable favorsableskills We judge matters so superficially that ordinary acts and words, done and spoken with some flair and some knowledge of worldly matters, often succeed better than the greatest cleverness. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable donejudgingordinary Often our good deeds make enemies for us, and the ungrateful person despises us on two counts; for he is not only unwilling to acknowledge the gratitude he owes us: he does not want to have his benefactor as witness to his thankless behavior. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable ungratefulgratitudetwo All the great amusements are dangerous for the Christian life. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable amusementchristiandanger The foolish acts of others ought to serve more as a lesson to us than an occasion to laugh at those who commit them. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable laughterlessonslaughing It is sometimes useful to pretend we are deceived, because when we show a deceiving man that we see through his artifices, we only encourage him to increase his deceptions. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable anarchydeceptionmen Criticism should awaken our attention, not inflame our anger. We should listen to, and not flee from, those who contradict us. Truth should be our cause, no matter in what manner it comes to us. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable criticismlisteningattention There is a certain manner of self-absorption in speaking that always renders the speaker disagreeable. For it is as great a folly to listen only to ourselves while we are carrying on a conversation with others as it is to talk to ourselves while we are alone. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable carrying-onselflistening Everyone is so caught up in his own passions and interests that he always wants to talk about them without getting involved in the passions and interests of those to whom he speaks, although his listeners have the same need for others to listen to and help them. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable passionlisteningneeds Those who foolishly pride themselves on their nobility mistake that which makes them noble, for it is only the virtue of their ancestors that gives them noble blood. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable pridemistakeblood Self-love is almost always the ruling principle of our friendships. It makes us avoid all our obligations in unprofitable situations, and even causes us to forget our hostility towards our enemies when they become powerful enough to help us achieve fame or fortune. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable powerfulselflove There is always enough self-love hidden beneath the greatest devoutness to set limits on charity. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable charityselflove There is little advantage in pleasing ourselves when we please no one else, for our great self-love is often chastised by the scorn of others. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable selflittleslove Self-love makes us deceive ourselves in almost all matters, to censure others, and to blame them for the same faults that we do not correct in ourselves; we do this either because we are unaware of the evil that exists within us, or because we always see our own evil disguised as a good. Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable selfevillove
