Modesty is to merit, what shade is to figures in a picture; it gives it strength and makes it stand out. Jean de la Bruyere More Quotes by Jean de la Bruyere More Quotes From Jean de la Bruyere He who can wait for what he desires takes the course not to be exceedingly grieved if he fails of it; he, on the contrary, who labors after a thing too impatiently thinks the success when it comes is not a recompense equal to all the pains he has been at about it. Jean de la Bruyere failurepainthinking Outward simplicity befits ordinary men, like a garment made to measure for them; but it serves as an adornment to those who have filled their lives with great deeds: they might be compared to some beauty carelessly dressed and thereby all the more attractive. Jean de la Bruyere simplicitybeautymen Love begins with love ; and the warmest friendship cannot change even to the coldest love. Jean de la Bruyere love-is Both as to high and low indifferently, men are prepossessed, charmed, fascinated by success; successful crimes are praised very much like virtue itself, and good fortune is not far from occupying the place of the whole cycle of virtues. It must be an atrocious act, a base and hateful deed, which success would not be able to justify. Jean de la Bruyere deedssuccessmen The most delicate, the most sensible of all pleasures, consists in promoting the pleasure of others. Jean de la Bruyere delicatepleasuresensible It is difficult for a proud man ever to forgive a person who has found him at fault, and who has good grounds for complaining of him; his pride is not assuaged till he has regained the advantages he lost and put the other person in the wrong. Jean de la Bruyere forgivingpridemen The opposite of what is noised about concerning men and things is often the truth. Jean de la Bruyere truthoppositesmen Banter is often a proof of want of intelligence. Jean de la Bruyere banterproofwant How much wit, good-nature, indulgences, how many good offices and civilities, are required among friends to accomplish in some years what a lovely face or a fine hand does in a minute! Jean de la Bruyere beautyhandsyears The events we most desire do not happen; or, if they do, it is neither in the time nor in the circumstances when they would have given us extreme pleasure. Jean de la Bruyere anticipationeventsdesire Love receives its death-wound from aversion, and forgetfulness buries it. Jean de la Bruyere forgetfulnesswoundsaversion The art of conversation consists far less in displaying much wit oneself than in helping others to be witty: the man who leaves your company pleased with himself and his own wit is very well pleased with you. Jean de la Bruyere dealsspiritconversation It is worse to apprehend than to suffer. Jean de la Bruyere anticipationsuffering We seldom repent talking little, but very often talking too much. Jean de la Bruyere too-muchlittlestalking A man who knows how to make good bargains or finds his money increase in his coffers, thinks presently that he has a good deal of brains and is almost fit to be a statesman. Jean de la Bruyere brainmenthinking Great things only require to be simply told, for they are spoiled by emphasis; but little things should be clothed in lofty language, as they are only kept up by expression, tone of voice, and style of delivery. Jean de la Bruyere stylevoiceexpression Languages are the keys of science. Jean de la Bruyere languagekeys Courtly manners are contagious; they are caught at Versailles. Jean de la Bruyere versaillescaughtmanners Love, slow and gradual in its growth, is too much like friendship ever to be a violent passion. Jean de la Bruyere passiongrowthtoo-much For a long time visits among lovers and professions of love are kept up through habit, after their behavior has plainly proved that love no longer exists. Jean de la Bruyere behaviorloverslong
