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It is weakness which makes us hate an enemy and seek revenge, and it is idleness that pacifies us and causes us to neglect it.

Jean de la Bruyere

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Jean de la Bruyere
Age: 50 †
Born: 1645
Born: August 16
Died: 1696
Died: May 10
Aphorist
Essayist
French Moralist
Lawyer
Philosopher
Translator
Writer
Paris
France
Jean de La Bruyere
Enemy
Causes
Hate
Makes
Idleness
Neglect
Revenge
Weakness
Seek

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In all conditions of life a poor man is a near neighbor to an honest one, and a rich man is as little removed from a knave.
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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.
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Cunning is none of the best nor worst qualities it floats between virtue and vice there is scarce any exigence where it may not, and perhaps ought not to be supplied by prudence.
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We dread old age, which are not sure of being able to attain. [Fr., L'on craint la vieillesse, que l'on n'est pas sur de pouvoir atteindre.]
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A person's worth in this world is estimated according to the value he puts on himself.
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Everything has been said, and we have come too late, now that men have been living and thinking for seven thousand years and more.
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We ought not to make those people our enemies who might have become our friends, if we had only known them better.
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It is virtue which should determine us in the choice of our friends, without inquiring into their good or evil fortune.
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The art of conversation consists far less in displaying much wit oneself than in helping others to be witty: the man who leaves your company pleased with himself and his own wit is very well pleased with you.
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The sublime only paints the true, and that too in noble objects it paints it in all its phases, its cause and its effect it is the most worthy expression or image of this truth. Ordinary minds cannot find out the exact expression, and use synonymes.
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The passion of hatred is so long lived and so obstinate a malady that the surest sign of death in a sick person is their desire for reconciliation.
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A woman is easily governed, if a man takes her in hand.
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All men's misfortunes spring from their hatred of being alone.
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When we have run through all forms of government, without partiality to that we were born under, we are at a loss with which to side they are all a compound of good and evil. It is therefore most reasonable and safe to value that of our own country above all others, and to submit to it.
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When we are young we lay up for old age when we are old we save for death.
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Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness.
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What is certain in death is somewhat softened by what is uncertain it is an indefiniteness in the time, which holds a certain relation to the infinite, and what is called eternity.
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A man of variable mind is not one man, but several men in one he multiplies himself as often as he changes his taste and manners he is not this minute what he was the last, and will not be the next what he is now he is his own successor.
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Hatred is so lasting and stubborn, that reconciliation on a sickbed certainly forebodes death.
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He who only writes to suit the taste of the age, considers himself more than his writings. We should always aim at perfection, and then posterity will do us that justice which sometimes our contemporaries refuse us.
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