Luc de
Luc de
blow fortune equal
Neither the gifts nor the blows of fortune equal those of nature.
giving study fortune
We are forced to respect the gifts of nature, which study and fortune cannot give.
mean men practice
The generality of men are so bound within the sphere of their circumstances that they have not even the courage to get out of them through their ideas, and if we see a few whom, in a way, speculation over great things makes incapable of mean ones, we find still more with whom the practice of small things takes away the feeling for great ones.
men careers vanity
Men crowd into honorable careers without other vocation than their vanity, or at best their love of fame.
men vices sensible
It cannot be a vice in men to be sensible of their strength.
men intelligent doe
There does not exist a man sufficiently intelligent never to be tiresome.
light firsts morality
Some authors regard morality in the same light as we regard modern architecture. Convenience is the first thing to be looked for.
regulation emotion granted
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.
men advice desire
It is unjust to exact that men shall do out of deference to our advice what they have no desire to do for themselves.
believe heart perfection
We can love with all our hearts those in whom we recognize great faults. It would be impertinent to believe that perfection alone has the right to please us; sometimes our weaknesses attach us to each other as much as our virtues.
sunshine brilliant youth
The tempests of youth are mingled with days of brilliant sunshine.
quick-wit perfection speed
It is no great advantage to possess a quick wit, if it is not correct; the perfection is not speed but uniformity.
men doe wealth
A man can hardly be said to have made a fortune if he does not know how to enjoy it.
greatness mind height
The mind reaches great heights only by spurts.