Luc de Clapiers
Luc de Clapiers
Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargueswas a minor French writer, a moralist. He died at age 31, in broken health, having published the year prior—anonymously—a collection of essays and aphorisms with the encouragement of Voltaire, his friend. He first received public notice under his own name in 1797, and from 1857 on, his aphorisms became popular. In the history of French literature, his significance lies chiefly in his friendship with Voltaire...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionWriter
Date of Birth6 August 1715
CountryFrance
Hatred is keener than friendship, less keen than love.
Reason and emotion counsel and supplement each other. Whoever heeds only the one, and puts aside the other, recklessly deprives himself of a portion of the aid granted us for the regulation of our conduct.
Persevere in the fight, struggle on, do not let go, think magnanimously of man and life, for man is good and life is affluent and fruitful.
Despair exaggerates not only our misery but also our weakness.
All erroneous ideas would perish of their own accord if given clear expression.
Lazy people always intend to start doing something.
The conscience of the dying belies their life.
Generosity gives assistance, rather than advice.
One promises much, to avoid giving little.
Magnanimity will not consider the prudence of its motives.
We are dismayed when we find that even disaster cannot cure us of our faults.
Clearness ornaments profound thoughts.
The wicked are always surprised to find that the good can be clever.
Obscurity is the kingdom of error.