JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE QUOTES IV

French philosopher and moralist (1645-1696)

For a long time visits among lovers and professions of love are kept up through habit, after their behavior has plainly proved that love no longer exists.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of the Affections", Les Caractères

Tags: habit


It is the glory and the merit of some men to write well, and of others not to write at all.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of Works of the Mind", Les Caractères

Tags: writing


Modesty is to merit, what shade is to figures in a picture; it gives it strength and makes it stand out.

JEAN DE LA BRUYERE

The Characters or Manners of the Present Age

Tags: modesty


Nothing is easier for passion than to overcome reason, but the greatest triumph is to conquer a man's own interests.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of the Affections", Les Caractères

Tags: passion


Outward simplicity befits ordinary men, like a garment made to measure for them; but it serves as an adornment to those who have filled their lives with great deeds: they might be compared to some beauty carelessly dressed and thereby all the more attractive.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of Personal Merit", Les Caractères

Tags: simplicity


Profound ignorance makes a man dogmatical.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of Society and of Conversation", Les Caractères

Tags: ignorance


Sudden love takes the longest time to be cured.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of the Affections", Les Caractères

Tags: love


The favor of princes does not preclude the existence of merit, and yet does not prove that it exists.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

Les Caractères

Tags: merit


The Opera is obviously the first draft of a fine spectacle; it suggests the idea of one.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

Les Caractères ou les Moeurs de ce siecle

Tags: opera


There is a pleasure in meeting the glance of a person whom we have lately laid under some obligations.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of the Affections", Les Caractères


We come too late to say anything which has not been said already.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of Works of the Mind", Les Caractères

Tags: originality


When, after having read a work, loftier thoughts arise in your mind and noble and heartfelt feelings animate you, do not look for any other rule to judge it by; it is fine and written in a masterly manner.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of Works of the Mind", Les Caractères

Tags: reading


Women are at little trouble to express what they do not feel; but men are still at less to express what they do feel.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of Women", Les Caractères


A long disease seems to be a halting place between life and death, that death itself may be a comfort to those who die and to those who are left behind.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of Mankind", Les Caractères

Tags: illness


Great things only require to be simply told, for they are spoiled by emphasis; but little things should be clothed in lofty language, as they are only kept up by expression, tone of voice, and style of delivery.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of Society and of Conversation", Les Caractères

Tags: language


If it be usual to be strongly impressed by things that are scarce, why are we so little impressed by virtue?

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of Personal Merit", Les Caractères

Tags: virtue


It is a fool's privilege to laugh at an intelligent man.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of Society and of Conversation", Les Caractères

Tags: fools


That man is good who does good to others; if he suffers on account of the good he does, he is very good; if he suffers at the hands of those to whom he has done good, then his goodness is so great that it could be enhanced only by greater sufferings; and if he should die at their hands, his virtue can go no further: it is heroic, it is perfect.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of Personal Merit", Les Caractères


The fear of old age disturbs us, yet we are not certain of becoming old.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of Mankind", Les Caractères

Tags: old age


The same common-sense which makes an author write good things, makes him dread they are not good enough to deserve reading.

JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE

"Of Works of the Mind", Les Caractères