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Jean de la Bruyere Quotes - Page 15

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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.

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
Men, Might, Next

The pleasure of criticizing takes away from us the pleasure of being moved by some very fine things.

Jean de la Bruyere
Criticism, Pleasure, Fine Things

There are certain things in which mediocrity is not to be endured, such as poetry, music, painting, public speaking.

Jean de la Bruyere
Mediocrity, Painting, Public Speaking

There are some who speak one moment before they think

Jean de la Bruyere
Thinking, Speak, Moments

They that have lived a single day have lived an age.

Jean de la Bruyere
Life, Birthday, Age

The duty of a judge is to administer justice, but his practice is to delay it

Jean de la Bruyere
Practice, Justice, Judging

We can recognize the dawn and the decline of love by the uneasiness we feel when alone together.

Jean de la Bruyere
Love, Life, Aggravation
"Of The Heart". "Characters", Book by Jean De La Bruyère, www.ourcivilisation.com. 1688.

To forget someone means to think of him.

Jean de la Bruyere
Mean, Thinking, Forget

A good author, and one who writes carefully, often discovers that the expression of which he has been in search without being able to discover it, and which he has at last found, is that which was the most simple, the most natural, and which seems as if it ought to have presented itself at once, without effort, to the mind.

Jean de la Bruyere
Writing, Simple, Expression

We rarely repent of speaking little, but often of speaking too much.

Jean de la Bruyere
Speech, Littles, Too Much

Eminent station makes great men more great, and little ones less.

Jean de la Bruyere
Men, Littles, Great Men

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
Infinite, Eternity, Certain

Anything is a temptation to those who dread it.

Jean de la Bruyere
Temptation, Dread

When, after having read a work, loftier thoughts arise in your mind and noble and heartfelt feelings animate you, do not look for any other rule to judge it by; it is fine and written in a masterly manner.

Jean de la Bruyere
Reading, Judging, Feelings

A man without characteristics is a most insipid character.

Jean de la Bruyere
Character, Men
"Of Society And Conversation". "Characters", Book by Jean De La Bruyère, www.ourcivilisation.com. 1688.

A dogmatic tone is generally inspired by abysmal ignorance. The man who knows nothing thinks he is informing others of something which he has that moment learnt; the man who knows a great deal can scarcely believe that people are ignorant of what he is telling them, and speaks more diffidently.

Jean de la Bruyere
Ignorance, Men, Profound
"Of Society And Conversation". "Characters", Book by Jean De La Bruyère, www.ourcivilisation.com. 1688.

It is more or less rude to scorn indiscriminately all kinds of praise; we ought to be proud of that which comes from honest men, who praise sincerely those things in us which are really commendable.

Jean de la Bruyere
Men, Rude, Proud

Some people pretend they never were in love and never wrote poetry; two weaknesses which they dare not own -- one of the heart, the other of the mind.

Jean de la Bruyere
Heart, Two, People

A lofty birth or a large fortune portend merit, and cause it to be the sooner noticed.

Jean de la Bruyere
Causes, Merit, Birth

During the course of our life we now and then enjoy some pleasures so inviting, and have some encounters of so tender a nature, that though they are forbidden, it is but natural to wish that they were at least allowable. Nothing can be more delightful, except it be to abandon them for virtue's sake.

Jean de la Bruyere
Wish, Encounters, Sake

The greatest part of mankind employ their first years to make their last miserable.

Jean de la Bruyere
Years, Lasts, Firsts
"Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers". Book by Jean de La Bruyère, 1895.

A modest man never talks of himself.

Jean de la Bruyere
Men, Modesty, Modest

We dread old age, which are not sure of being able to attain. [Fr., L'on craint la vieillesse, que l'on n'est pas sur de pouvoir atteindre.]

Jean de la Bruyere
Age, Able, Not Sure

Life is short and tedious, and is wholly spent in wishing; we trust to find rest and enjoyment at some future time, often at an age when our best blessings, youth and health, have already left us. When at last I that time has arrived, it surprises us in the midst of fresh desires; we have got no farther when we are attacked by a fever which kills us; if we had been cured, it would only have been to give us more time for other desires.

Jean de la Bruyere
Life, Blessing, Giving

He who only writes to suit the taste of the age, considers himself more than his writings. We should always aim at perfection, and then posterity will do us that justice which sometimes our contemporaries refuse us.

Jean de la Bruyere
Writing, Justice, Perfection
"Characters: Of Works of the Mind," #67, 1688.

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