It is a great misfortune neither to have enough wit to talk well nor enough judgment to be silent. Jean de la Bruyere More Quotes by Jean de la Bruyere More Quotes From Jean de la Bruyere If you suppress the exorbitant love of pleasure and money, idle curiosity, iniquitous pursuits and wanton mirth, what a stillness would there be in the greatest cities. Jean de la Bruyere mirth curiosity cities Avoid making yourself the subject of conversation. Jean de la Bruyere egotism subjects conversation Laziness begat wearisomeness, and this put men in quest of diversions, play and company, on which however it is a constant attendant; he who works hard, has enough to do with himself otherwise. Jean de la Bruyere hard-work play men He who excels in his art so as to carry it to the utmost height of perfection of which it is capable may be said in some measure to go beyond it: his transcendent productions admit of no appellations. Jean de la Bruyere excellence perfection art The same principle leads us to neglect a man of merit that induces us to admire a fool. Jean de la Bruyere fool principles men It is motive alone that gives real value to the actions of men, and disinterestedness puts the cap to it. Jean de la Bruyere real giving men The fears of old age disturb us, yet how few attain it? Jean de la Bruyere old-age age I do not doubt but that genuine piety is the spring of peace of mind; it enables us to bear the sorrows of life, and lessens the pangs of death: the same cannot be said of hypocrisy. Jean de la Bruyere hypocrisy doubt spring It seems to me that the spirit of politeness is a certain attention in causing that, by our words and by our manners, others may be content with us and with themselves. Jean de la Bruyere our-words may attention Politeness does not always inspire goodness, equity, complaisance, and gratitude; it gives at least the appearance of these qualities, and makes man appear outwardly, as he should be within. Jean de la Bruyere gratitude giving men There is what is called the highway to posts and honor, and there is a cross and by way, which is much the shortest. Jean de la Bruyere popularity honor way I take sanctuary in an honest mediocrity. Jean de la Bruyere mediocrity honest sanctuary Praise, of all things, is the most powerful excitement to commendable actions, and animates us in our enterprises. Jean de la Bruyere excitement powerful action Man makes up his mind he will preach, and he preaches. Jean de la Bruyere preaching mind men It is in vain to ridicule a rich fool, for the laughers will be on his side. Jean de la Bruyere wealth fool sides To what excesses do men rush for the sake of religion, of whose truth they are so little persuaded, and to whose precepts they pay so little regard! Jean de la Bruyere excess men religion It is through madness that we hate an enemy, and think of revenging ourselves; and it is through indolence that we are appeased, and do not revenge ourselves. Jean de la Bruyere hate revenge thinking If it be usual to be strongly impressed by things that are scarce, why are we so little impressed by virtue? Jean de la Bruyere virtue usual littles The favor of princes does not preclude the existence of merit, and yet does not prove that it exists. Jean de la Bruyere merit favors doe I am told so many ill things of a man, and I see so few in him, that I begin to suspect he has a real but troublesome merit, as being likely to eclipse that of others. Jean de la Bruyere merit real men
