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Quote by Luc de Clapiers

Work

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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“With kings, nations, and private individuals, the strongest assume to themselves rights over the weakest, and the same rule is followed by animals, by matter, by the elements, so that everything is performed in the universe by violence. And that order which we blame with some appearance of justice is the most universal, most absolute, most unchangeable, and most ancient law of nature.”

“The maxim that men are not to be praised before their death was invented by envy and too lightly adopted by philosophers. I, on the contrary, maintain that they ought to be praised in their lifetime if they merit it; but jealousy and calumny, roused against their virtue or their talent, labour to degrade them if any one ventures to bear testimony to them. It is unjust criticism that they should fear to hazard, not sincere praise.”

“If children had teachers for judgment and eloquence just as they have for languages, if their memory was exercised less than their energy or their natural genius, if instead of deadening their vivacity of mind we tried to elevate the free scope and impulse of their souls, what might not result from a fine disposition? As it is, we forget that courage, or love of truth and glory are the virtues that matter most in youth; and our one endeavour is to subdue our children's spirits, in order to teach them that dependence and suppleness are the first laws of success in life.”