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The greatest weakness of all weaknesses is to fear too much to appear weak.

— Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

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More by Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

Human happiness consists in living according to reason.

Pensées chrétiennes et morales (1704)

Faith is an adherence of the heart to eternal truth.

Exhortation aux nouvelles Catholiques (1685)

God is the one in whom non-being has no place.

Elevations on the Mysteries (1727)

It is the greatest of all weaknesses to be too afraid of appearing weak.

Politics Drawn from the Very Words of Holy Scripture (1709)

The first of all empires is that which one has over one's desires.

Politics Drawn from the Very Words of Holy Scripture (1709)

The world itself makes you sick of the world.

Sermon pour la profession de Madame de la Vallière (1675)

Deism, that is to say a disguised atheism.

History of Variations in the Protestant Churches (1688)

It is only the first obstacle which counts to conquer modesty.

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Fear

More quotes by Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

Heresies have never been more than particular opinions, since they began with five or six men.

Avertissement aux Protestants I (1689)

In the midst of the disguises and artifices that reign among men, it is only attention and vigilance that can save us from surprises.

Politics Drawn from the Very Words of Holy Scripture (1709)

Human wisdom learns a lot if it learns to be silent.

Elevations on the Mysteries (1727)

The usual destiny of those who refuse to listen to the truth is to be led to their ruin by deceptive prophets.

Discourse on Universal History (1681)

All demonstrated truth is necessary, eternal and immutable.

Treatise on the Knowledge of God and of One's Self (1677)

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To fear love is to fear life, and those who fear life are already three parts dead.

Bertrand Russell Marriage and Morals (1929)

Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.

William James The Will to Believe and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy (1897)

There is no governor anywhere; you are all absolutely free. There is no restraint that cannot be escaped.

Robert Anton Wilson

Most intellectual people do not believe in God, but they fear him just the same.

Wilhelm Reich Philosophy : An Introduction to the Art of Wondering (2005)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.