Jean de la Bruyere
Jean de la Bruyere
Jean de La Bruyèrewas a French philosopher and moralist...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionPhilosopher
CountryFrance
evil would-be states
The State not seldom tolerates a comparatively great evil to keep out millions of lesser ills and inconveniences which otherwise would be inevitable and without remedy.
littles usual virtue
If it be usual to be strongly impressed by things that are scarce, why are we so little impressed by virtue?
beautiful women may
If a handsome woman allows that another woman is beautiful, we may safely conclude she excels her.
fool sides wealth
It is in vain to ridicule a rich fool, for the laughers will be on his side.
reading writing common-sense
The same common sense which makes an author write good things, makes him dread they are not good enough to deserve reading.
mind
The mind, like all other things, will become impaired, the sciences are its food,--they nourish, but at the same time they consume it.
death hate passion
The passion of hatred is so long lived and so obstinate a malady that the surest sign of death in a sick person is their desire for reconciliation.
power alive flattery
We should keep silent about those in power; to speak well of them almost implies flattery; to speak ill of them while they are alive is dangerous, and when they are dead is cowardly.
funny humorous ideas
The Opera is obviously the first draft of a fine spectacle; it suggests the idea of one.
mediocrity painting public-speaking
There are certain things in which mediocrity is not to be endured, such as poetry, music, painting, public speaking.
writing thinking mind
A mediocre mind thinks it writes divinely; a good mind thinks it writes reasonably.
work ambition men
The slave has but one master, the ambitious man has as many as there are persons whose aid may contribute to the advancement of his fortunes.
birth-life-and-death suffering three
There are three great events in our lives: birth, life and death. Of birth we have no conscience; with death, we suffer; and, concerning life, we forget to live it.
happiness happy laughing
We should laugh before being happy, for fear of dying without having laughed.