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VAUVENARGUES, Luc de Clapiers Quotes
(1715-1747), French moral philosopher
Newton, Pascal, Bossuet, Racine, Fenelon, that is to say some of the most enlightened men on earth, in the most philosophical of all ages, have been believers in Jesus Christ; and the great Conde, when dying, repeated these noble words, "Yes, I shall see God as he is, face to face!"
It is easy to criticise an author, but difficult to appreciate him.
A new principle is an inexhaustible source of new views.
Excessive distrust of others is not less hurtful than its opposite.—Most men become useless to him who is unwilling to risk being deceived.
It is not true that equality is a law of nature.—Nature has no equality.—Its sovereign law is subordination and dependence.
Great men undertake great things because they are great; fools, because they think them easy.
Indolence is the sleep of the mind.
We cannot be just unless we are kind-hearted.
The fruit derived from labor is the sweetest of all pleasures.
Patience is the art of hoping.
Few maxims are true from every point of view.
We ought never to be afraid to repeat an ancient truth, when we feel that we can make it more striking by a neater turn, or bring it alongside of another truth, which may make it clearer, and thereby accumulate evidence. It belongs to the inventive faculty to see clearly the relative state of things, and to be able to place them in connection; but the discoveries of ages gone by belong less to their first authors than to those who make them practically useful to the world.
Our virtues are dearer to us the more we have had to suffer for them. It is the same with our children. All profound affection admits a sacrifice.
A man who loves only himself and his pleasures is vain, presumptuous, and wicked even from principle.
When thought is too weak to be simply expressed, it is a clear proof that it should be rejected.
Perspicuity is the framework of profound thoughts.
All grand thoughts come from the heart.
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