Stanisław I Leszczyński Quotes

Some like to understand what they believe in. Others like to believe in what they understand.

He who fears death dies every time he thinks of it.

Conscience warns us as a friend before it punishes us as a judge.

The strong desire for success is the best indication that you can achieve success.

Misers are very kind people: they amass wealth for those who wish their death.

To make good use of life, one should have in youth the experience of advanced years, and in old age the vigor of youth.

Can princes born in palaces be sensible of the misery of those who dwell in cottages?

A well-read fool is the most pestilent of blockheads; his learning is a flail which he knows not how to handle, and with which he breaks his neighbor's shins as well as his own. Keep a fellow of this description at arm's length, as you value the integrity of your bones.

To believe with certainty, we must begin with doubting.

Esteem has more engaging charms than friendship, or even love. It captivates hearts better, and never makes ings.

We are usually mistaken in esteeming men too much; rarely in esteeming them too little.

How many persons fancy they have experience simply because they have grown old!

Genius speaks only to genius.

I know no real worth but that tranquil firmness which seeks dangers by duty, and braves them without rashness.

We rise to fortune by successive steps; we descend by only one.

Affectation discovers sooner what one is than it makes known what one would fain appear to be.

Have the courage to face a difficulty lest it kick you harder than you bargain for.

I believe, indeed, that it is more laudable to suffer great misfortunes than to do great things.

There are few defects in our nature so glaring as not to be veiled from observation by politeness and good-breeding.

Religion has nothing more to fear than not being sufficiently understood.

To be vain of one's rank or place is to show that one is below it.

When the truth offends no one it should come from our lips as naturally as the air we breathe.

It is hardly possible to suspect another without having in one's self the seeds of baseness the party is accused of.

Nothing but religion is capable of changing pains into pleasures.

Gaiety is the soul's health; sadness is its poison.