Joseph Joubert Quotes - Page 3

The mind's direction is more important than its progress.

The essence of life consists in thinking, and being conscious of one's soul.

Be charitable and indulge to everyone, but thyself.

The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old ones.

We live in an age in which superfluous ideas abound and essential ideas are lacking.

The paper is patient, but the reader is not.

How many people make themselves abstract to appear profound. The most useful part of abstract terms are the shadows they create to hide a vacuum.

Common sense suits itself to the ways of the world. Wisdom tries to confirm to the ways of heaven.

It is always our inabilities that vex us.

Living requires but little life; doing requires much.

Think that day lost whose descending sun, views from thy hand no noble action done.

Thoughts there are, that need no embodying, no form, no expression. It is enough to hint at them vaguely; a word, and they are heard and seen.

We use up in the passions the stuff that was given us for happiness.

To be capable of respect is almost as rare as to be worthy of it.

Liquid, flowing words are the choicest and the best, if language is regarded as music. But when it is considered as a picture, then there are rough words which are very telling, they make their mark.

Strength is natural, but grace is the growth of habit. This charming quality requires practice if it is to become lasting.

A thought is a thing as real as a cannonball.

The God of metaphysics is but an idea. But the God of religion, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sovereign Judge of actions and thoughts, is a power.

Virtue is the health of the soul.

The ordinary true, or purely real, cannot be the object of the arts. Illusion on a ground of truth,--that is the secret of the fine arts.

There is an admiration which is the daughter of knowledge.

When you give, give with joy and smiling.

No one is mediocre who has good sense and good sentiments.

Of the two, I prefer those who render vice lovable to those who degrade virtue.

I resemble the poplar,--that tree which, even when old, still looks young.