Jean Bruyere
Jean Bruyere
excesses few finer
There are few finer excesses in the world than an excess of gratitude.
either others stupidity ways
There are only two ways of getting on in the world either by one's own industry, or by the stupidity of others
comedy life tragedy
Life is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think.
glory men merit others
It is the glory and merit of some men to write well, and of others not to write at all
devote greater lives majority men remaining
The majority of men devote the greater part of their lives to making their remaining years unhappy.
genius proportion talent
Between genius and talent there is the proportion of the whole to its part
gross notice others ourselves vices
The same vices that are gross and insupportable in others we do not notice in ourselves
man secret secrets woman
A man can keep a secret better than his own. A woman her own better than others.
account attained estate fall faults high men
We see men fall from high estate on account of the very faults through which they attained it
fine moved pleasure
The pleasure of criticizing robs us of the pleasure of being moved by some very fine things.
depended deserved generous great honest report resolute
There is a report that Piso is dead; it is a great loss; he was an honest man, who deserved to live longer; he was intelligent and agreeable, resolute and courageous, to be depended upon, generous and faithful.' Add: 'provided he is really dead'.
human late seven thousand
Everything has been said, and we are more than seven thousand years of human thought too late