Jean de la Bruyere
Jean de la Bruyere
Jean de La Bruyèrewas a French philosopher and moralist...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionPhilosopher
CountryFrance
secret
We confide our secret to a friend, but in love it escapes us.
pride men forgiving
It is difficult for a proud man ever to forgive a person who has found him at fault, and who has good grounds for complaining of him; his pride is not assuaged till he has regained the advantages he lost and put the other person in the wrong.
pride men treats
The same amount of pride which makes a man treat haughtily his inferiors, makes him cringe servilely; to those above him.
love-is
Love begins with love ; and the warmest friendship cannot change even to the coldest love.
want banter proof
Banter is often a proof of want of intelligence.
expression voice style
Great things only require to be simply told, for they are spoiled by emphasis; but little things should be clothed in lofty language, as they are only kept up by expression, tone of voice, and style of delivery.
versailles manners caught
Courtly manners are contagious; they are caught at Versailles.
passion growth too-much
Love, slow and gradual in its growth, is too much like friendship ever to be a violent passion.
long lovers behavior
For a long time visits among lovers and professions of love are kept up through habit, after their behavior has plainly proved that love no longer exists.
hard-work men play
Laziness begat wearisomeness, and this put men in quest of diversions, play and company, on which however it is a constant attendant; he who works hard, has enough to do with himself otherwise.
writing men thinking
A man of moderate Understanding, thinks he writes divinely: A man of good Understanding, thinks he writes reasonably.
conversation egotism subjects
Avoid making yourself the subject of conversation.
littles conversation cunning
Amongst such as out of cunning hear all and talk little, be sure to talk less; or if you must talk, say little.
challenges cost birth
High birth is a gift of fortune which should never challenge esteem towards those who receive it, since it costs them neither study nor labor.