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La Bruyère and Vauvenargues: Selections from the Characters, Reflexions and Maxims

The volume offers readers a curated selection of insights and wisdom from the works of Jean de La Bruyère and Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de Vauvenargues. These selections are drawn from their respective collections of characters, reflections, and maxims, showcasing their philosophical and moral perspectives. more

Author

Luc de Clapiers
Luc de Clapiers

Luc de Clapiers, known by his pen name Voltaire, was a prominent French writer, philosopher, historian, and an influential figure of the Enlightenment, born on August 6, 1715, and died on May 28, 1747. His works, characterized by satire and humor, have had a profound impact on literature and thought. more

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“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.”

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Book:La Bruyère and Vauvenargues: Selections from the Characters, Reflexions and Maxims
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“Superficial knowledge ... is hurtful to those who possess true genius; for it necessarily draws them away from their main object, wastes their industry over details and subjects foreign to their needs and natural talent, and lastly does not serve, as they flatter themselves, to prove the breadth of their mind. In all ages there have been men of very moderate intelligence who knew much, and so on the contrary, men of the highest intelligence who knew very little. Ignorance is not lack of intelligence, nor knowledge a proof of genius.”

MenNeedsMindLittlesDoeHas BeensAgeNaturalSubjectsTalentObjectsIgnoranceIndustryGeniusProveWasteHighestDrawsDetailsProofContrarySuperficialModeratesHurtfulBreadthNatural TalentTrue GeniusSuperficial Knowledge
Author:Luc de Clapiers
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“As soon as an opinion becomes common it is sufficient reason for men to abandon it and to uphold the opposite opinion until that in its turn grows old, and they require to distinguish themselves by other things. Thus if they attain their goal in some art or science, we must expect them soon to cast it aside to acquire some fresh fame, and this is partly the reason why the most splendid ages degenerate so quickly, and, scarcely emerged from barbarism, plunge into it again.”

IfsMenArtReasonAgeTurnsGrowsGoalCommonOpinionFameOppositesCastsReason WhySufficientAcquireAbandonSplendidPlungeBarbarismDegenerates
Book:La Bruyère and Vauvenargues: Selections from the Characters, Reflexions and Maxims
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