“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.” StillsTwoSoulSupportMankindStupidGeniusOrdinaryFilledExtremesDullMediocrityFewerMultitudesSublimeTranscendentOrnamentsIntervalsCommonwealthGeneralitiesTwo Extremes Author:Jean de la Bruyere
“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.” MenRealIllMeritSuspectsEclipseTroublesome Author:Jean de la Bruyere
“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.]” DoeExistenceProveFavorsMerit Author:Jean de la Bruyere
“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.]” MenPrinciplesFoolAdmireMeritNeglectAdmirerMemesEncores Author:Jean de la Bruyere
“It is motive alone that gives real value to the actions of men, and disinterestedness puts the cap to it.” MenGivingRealActionValuesMotiveCapsReal Value Author:Jean de la Bruyere
“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.” MindSaidDoubtBearsSorrowSpringGenuineHypocrisyPeace Of MindPiety Author:Jean de la Bruyere
“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.” MaySeemsSpiritCertainAttentionMannersPolitenessOur Words Author:Jean de la Bruyere
“Politeness does not always inspire goodness, equity, complaisance, and gratitude; it gives at least the appearance of these qualities, and makes man appear outwardly, as he should be within.” MenGivingShouldDoeQualityInspireGratitudeGoodnessAppearanceEquityPoliteness Author:Jean de la Bruyere
“There is what is called the highway to posts and honor, and there is a cross and by way, which is much the shortest.” WayHonorCrossesPostsPopularityHighways Author:Jean de la Bruyere