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
The things we know best are the things we haven't been taught.
We often quarrel with the unfortunate to get rid of pitying them.
One can not be just if one is not humane.
Clarity is the counterbalance of profound thoughts.
Peace renders nations happier and men weaker.
If anyone accuses me of contradicting myself, I shall reply; I have been wrong once or more often, however I do not aspire to be always wrong.
The lazy are always wanting to do something.
Every thought is new when an author expresses it in a manner peculiar to himself.
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.
Despair exaggerates not only our misery but also our weakness.
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.