Simple truths are a relief from grand speculations. Luc de Clapiers More Quotes by Luc de Clapiers More Quotes From Luc de Clapiers You can purchase the mind of Pascal for a crown. Pleasures even cheaper are sold to those who give themselves up to them. It is only luxuries and objects of caprice that are rare and difficult to obtain; unfortunately they are the only things that touch the curiosity and taste of ordinary men. Luc de Clapiers luxurygivingmen We don't have enough time to premeditate our actions. Luc de Clapiers our-actionsenoughtime Hatred and dishonesty generally arises from fear of being deceived. Luc de Clapiers dishonestyhatredlying The lazy are always wanting to do something. Luc de Clapiers lazylazinesssloth Our errors and our controversies, in the sphere of morality, arise sometimes from looking on men as though they could be altogether bad, or altogether good. Luc de Clapiers sphereserrorsmen Great men in teaching weak men to reflect have set them on the road to error. Luc de Clapiers weak-manteachingmen Activity makes more men's fortunes than cautiousness. Luc de Clapiers cautiousnessactionmen Superficial knowledge ... is hurtful to those who possess true genius; for it necessarily draws them away from their main object, wastes their industry over details and subjects foreign to their needs and natural talent, and lastly does not serve, as they flatter themselves, to prove the breadth of their mind. In all ages there have been men of very moderate intelligence who knew much, and so on the contrary, men of the highest intelligence who knew very little. Ignorance is not lack of intelligence, nor knowledge a proof of genius. Luc de Clapiers superficial-knowledgeignorancemen As soon as an opinion becomes common it is sufficient reason for men to abandon it and to uphold the opposite opinion until that in its turn grows old, and they require to distinguish themselves by other things. Thus if they attain their goal in some art or science, we must expect them soon to cast it aside to acquire some fresh fame, and this is partly the reason why the most splendid ages degenerate so quickly, and, scarcely emerged from barbarism, plunge into it again. Luc de Clapiers oppositesmenart None are more liable to mistakes than those who act only on second thoughts. Luc de Clapiers liablesecond-thoughtsmistake Men are not to be judged by what they do not know, but by what they know, and by the manner in which they know it. Luc de Clapiers judgedknowsmen We are very wrong to think that some fault or other can exclude virtue, or to consider the alliance of good and evil as a monstrosity or an enigma. Luc de Clapiers faultsevilthinking Our virtues are dearer to us the more we have had to suffer for them. It is the same with our children. All profound affection admits a sacrifice. Luc de Clapiers sacrificeprofoundchildren If anyone accuses me of contradicting myself, I shall reply; I have been wrong once or more often, however I do not aspire to be always wrong. Luc de Clapiers contradictingalways-wronghypocrisy Nothing but courage can guide life. Luc de Clapiers guidescourage Hope is the only good thing that disillusion respects. Luc de Clapiers good-thingshopeexpectations Great men are sometimes so even in small things. Luc de Clapiers great-mensometimesmen The favorites of fortune or of fame topple from their pedestals before our eyes without diverting us from ambition. Luc de Clapiers pedestaleyeambition There are those who are so scrupulously afraid of doing wrong that they seldom venture to do anything. Luc de Clapiers ventureriskmanagement Learn to overrule minor interest in favor of great ones, and generously to do all the good the heart prompts; a man is never injured by acting virtuously. Luc de Clapiers christianheartmen
