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Quote by Jean de la Bruyere

“The generality of men expend the early part of their lives in contributing to render the latter part miserable.”

Quote by Jean de la Bruyere

Author

Jean de la Bruyere

Jean de la Bruyere was a French philosopher and moralist, born on August 16, 1645, and died on May 10, 1696. His works have had a profound impact on posterity. more

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“We meet With few utterly dull and stupid souls: the sublime and transcendent are still fewer; the generality of mankind stand between these two extremes: the interval is filled with multitudes of ordinary geniuses, but all very useful, and the ornaments and supports of the commonwealth.”

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“I am told so many ill things of a man, and I see so few in him, that I begin to suspect he has a real but troublesome merit, as being likely to eclipse that of others.”

Men Real Ill Merit Suspects Eclipse Troublesome

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“The favor of princes does not preclude the existence of merit, and yet does not prove that it exists. [Fr., La faveur des princes n'exclut pas le merite, et ne le suppose pas aussi.]”

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“The same principle leads us to neglect a man of merit that induces us to admire a fool. [Fr., Du meme fonds dont on neglige un homme de merite l'on sait encore admirer un sot.]”

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“It is motive alone that gives real value to the actions of men, and disinterestedness puts the cap to it.”

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“The fears of old age disturb us, yet how few attain it?”

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“I do not doubt but that genuine piety is the spring of peace of mind; it enables us to bear the sorrows of life, and lessens the pangs of death: the same cannot be said of hypocrisy.”

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“It seems to me that the spirit of politeness is a certain attention in causing that, by our words and by our manners, others may be content with us and with themselves.”

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