216 quotes
To succeed in the world we do everything we can to appear successful already.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665)
We hardly find any persons of good sense save those who agree with us.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665)
We all have strength enough to endure the misfortunes of others.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665)
One must listen if one wishes to be listened to.
Truth does not do so much good in the world, as the appearance of it does evil.
The art of being able to make a good use of moderate abilities wins esteem and often confers more reputation than real merit.
Fortunate people seldom mend their ways, for when good luck crowns their misdeeds with success they think it is because they are right.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665)
The pleasure of love is in loving; we are happier in the passion we feel than in what we inspire.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665)
The reason why lovers and their mistresses never tire of being together is that they are always talking of themselves.
The happiness and misery of men depend no less on temper than fortune.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665)
Too great refinement is false delicacy, and true delicacy is solid refinement.
In their first passion, women love their lovers; in all the others, they love love.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665)
Old age is a tyrant who forbids, upon pain of death, all the pleasures of youth.
The world oftener rewards the appearance of merit than merit itself.
We sometimes see a fool possessed of talent, but never of judgment.
Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665)
Little is needed to make a wise man happy, but nothing can content a fool.
Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire.
Maximes (1665)
Philosophy triumphs easily over past and future evils; but present evils triumph over it.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665)
However resplendent an action may be, it should not be accounted great unless it is the result of a great design.