Were a man to consult only his reason, who would marry? For myself, I wouldn't marry, for fear of having a son who resembled me. Nicolas Chamfort More Quotes by Nicolas Chamfort More Quotes From Nicolas Chamfort Eminence without merit earns deference without esteem. Nicolas Chamfort deference esteem merit The best philosophical attitude to adopt towards the world is a union of the sarcasm of gaiety with the indulgence of contempt. Nicolas Chamfort philosophical sarcasm attitude Conviction is the conscience of intellect. Nicolas Chamfort intellect conviction belief Marriage follows on love as smoke on flame. Nicolas Chamfort smoke flames Wicked people sometimes perform good actions. I suppose they wish to see if this gives as great a feeling of pleasure as the virtuous claim for it. Nicolas Chamfort feelings giving people Hope is but a charlatan that ceases not to deceive us. For myself happiness only began when I had lost it. Nicolas Chamfort charlatans deceiving lost Remorse turns us against ourselves. Nicolas Chamfort remorse turns Tis easier to make certain things legal than to make them legitimate. Nicolas Chamfort easier certain Public opinion is the worst of all opinions. Nicolas Chamfort public-opinion worst opinion In the fine arts, as in many other things, we know well only what we have not learned. Nicolas Chamfort fine wells art Change of fashion is the tax levied by the industry of the poor on the vanity of the rich. Nicolas Chamfort vanity fashion literature Philosophy, like medicine, has plenty of drugs, few good remedies, and hardly any specific cures. Nicolas Chamfort philosophical philosophy science Vivre est un maladie dont le sommeil nous soulage toutes les 16 heures. C'est un pallatif. La mort est le remede. Nicolas Chamfort If it were not for the government, we should have nothing to laugh at in France. Nicolas Chamfort government should-have laughing Man may aspire to virtue, but he cannot reasonably aspire to truth. Nicolas Chamfort literature may men Most of those who make collections of verse or epigram are like men eating cherries or oysters: they choose out the best at first, and end by eating all. Nicolas Chamfort oysters literature men It is commonly supposed that the art of pleasing is a wonderful aid in the pursuit of fortune; but the art of being bored is infinitely more successful. Nicolas Chamfort bored successful art Scandal is an importunate wasp, against which we must make no movement unless we are quite sure that we can kill it; otherwise it will return to the attack more furious than ever. Nicolas Chamfort scandal return movement It is with happiness as with watches: the less complicated, the less easily deranged. Nicolas Chamfort complicated happiness watches If you must love your neighbor as yourself, it is at least as fair to love yourself as your neighbor. Nicolas Chamfort confidence acceptance love-you
