Marquis de Vauvenargues

“The pretext for injuring another is the opinion that we have of him.”

“It is a great sign of mediocrity to praise always moderately.”

“The things we know best are the things we haven't been taught.”

“The art of pleasing is the art of deceiving.”

“Great thoughts come from the heart.”

“We must not judge of a man's merits by his great qualities, but by the use he makes of them.”

“The thought of death deceives us; for it causes us to neglect to live.”

“War is not so onerous as servitude.”

“All men are born sincere and die deceivers.”

“He who is more useful to others is more worthy.”

“Vice stirs up war; virtue fights.”

“Those who are incapable of great crimes do not readily suspect them in others.”

“Patience is the art of hoping.”

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”

“Clarity is the good faith of philosophers.”

“Consciousness of our strength increases it.”

“The fruit of labor is the sweetest of pleasures.”

“In order to do great things, it is necessary to live as if one was never going to die.”

“Adversity is the touchstone of friendship.”

“Nobody is more liable to make mistakes than the man who acts only on reflection.”