The favor of princes does not preclude the existence of merit, and yet does not prove that it exists. Jean de la Bruyere More Quotes by Jean de la Bruyere More Quotes From Jean de la Bruyere What is certain in death is somewhat softened by what is uncertain; it is an indefiniteness in the time, which holds a certain relation to the infinite, and what is called eternity. Jean de la Bruyere infiniteeternitydeath If women were by nature what they make themselves by art; if they were to lose suddenly all the freshness of their complexion, and their faces to become as fiery and as leaden as they make them with the red and the paint they besmear themselves with, they would consider themselves the most wretched creatures on earth. Jean de la Bruyere redfacesart A vain man finds his account in speaking good or evil of himself. Jean de la Bruyere vanityevilmen It is not so easy to obtain a reputation by a perfect work as to enhance the value of an indifferent one by a reputation already acquired. Jean de la Bruyere reputationperfecteasy For some people, speaking and giving offence are one and the same thing. They are spiteful and bitter; their style is infused with gall and wormwood; mockery, abuse and insults flow from their lips like spittle. Jean de la Bruyere speakpeople Physiognomy is not a guide that has been given us by which to judge of the character of men: it may only serve us for conjecture. Jean de la Bruyere judgingcharactermen I am not surprised that men who put their trust in an atom should fail in their slightest attempts to plumb truth, that with such limited vision they cannot see beyond the sky and the stars to God Himself; that since they cannot discern the superiority of what is spiritual or the dignity of man's soul, they are even more unaware how hard it is to satisfy, how the whole earth is unworthy of it, how urgently it needs a supremely perfect being, who is God, and how indispensable to it is a religion which will lead it towards God and provide a sure pledge of Him. Jean de la Bruyere effortstarsmen There are some who speak one moment before they think Jean de la Bruyere momentsspeakthinking Whatever is certain in death is slightly alleviated by what is not so infallible; the time when it shall happen is undefined, but it is more or less connected with the infinite, and what we call eternity. Jean de la Bruyere certaininfiniteeternity All the worth of some people lies in their name; upon a closer inspection it dwindles to nothing, but from a distance it deceives us. Jean de la Bruyere distancenameslying Women are at little trouble to express what they do not feel; but men are still at less to express what they do feel. Jean de la Bruyere troublelittlesmen To bewail the loss of a person we love is a happiness compared with the necessity of living with one we hate. Jean de la Bruyere hatelosslove-is It takes talent to please the people in a sermon by a flowery style, a cheerful ethic, brilliant sallies and lively descriptions; but such a talent is inadequate. A better sort of talent neglects these extraneous ornaments, unworthy to be used in the service of the Gospel: such a preacher's sermon will be simple, strong and Christian. Jean de la Bruyere stylechristianpeople A look of intelligence is what regularity of features is to women: it is a styule of beauty to which the most vain may aspire. Jean de la Bruyere airbeautylooks A great mind is above insults, injustice, grief, and raillery, and would be invulnerable were it not open to compassion. Jean de la Bruyere griefcompassionmind The best thing next to wit is a consciousness that it is not in us; without wit, a man might then know how to behave himself, so as not to appear to be a fool or a coxcomb. Jean de la Bruyere nextmightmen I never have wit until I am below stairs. Jean de la Bruyere stairswit Widows, like ripe fruit, drop easily from their perch. Jean de la Bruyere ripe-fruitwidowsfruit We all covet wealth, but not its perils. Jean de la Bruyere perilwealth The Great slight the men of wit, who have nothing but wit; the men of wit despise the Great, who have nothing but greatness; the good man pities them both, if with greatness or wit they have not virtue. Jean de la Bruyere good-mangreatnessmen
