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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.
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
Others
Leaves
Well
Oneself
Much
Conversation
Deals
Displaying
Company
Cleverness
Less
Pleased
Helping
Consists
Spirit
Witty
More quotes by Jean de la Bruyere
The whole genius of an author consists in describing well, and delineating character well. Homer, Plato, Virgil, Horace only excel other writers by their expressions and images we must indicate what is true if we mean to write naturally, forcibly and delicately.
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One seeks to make the loved one entirely happy, or, if that cannot be, entirely wretched.
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A party spirit betrays the greatest men to act as meanly as the vulgar herd.
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As long as men are liable to die and are desirous to live, a physician will be made fun of, but he will be well paid.
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The most amiable people are those who least wound the self-love of others.
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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 Bruyere
The most delicate, the most sensible of all pleasures, consists in promoting the pleasure of others.
Jean de la Bruyere
A man who knows how to make good bargains or finds his money increase in his coffers, thinks presently that he has a good deal of brains and is almost fit to be a statesman.
Jean de la Bruyere
A man reveals his character even in the simplest things he does.
Jean de la Bruyere
A prince wants only the pleasure of private life to complete his happiness.
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During the course of our life we now and then enjoy some pleasures so inviting, and have some encounters of so tender a nature, that though they are forbidden, it is but natural to wish that they were at least allowable. Nothing can be more delightful, except it be to abandon them for virtue's sake.
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It is often easier as well as more advantageous to conform to other men's opinions than to bring them over to ours.
Jean de la Bruyere
Most men spend the best part of their lives making the remaining part wretched.
Jean de la Bruyere
A man often runs the risk of throwing away a witticism if he admits that it is his own.
Jean de la Bruyere
An assembly of the states, a court of justice, shows nothing so serious and grave as a table of gamesters playing very high a melancholy solicitude clouds their looks envy and rancor agitate their minds while the meeting lasts, without regard to friendship, alliances, birth or distinctions.
Jean de la Bruyere
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 Bruyere
It is virtue which should determine us in the choice of our friends, without inquiring into their good or evil fortune.
Jean de la Bruyere
The beginning and the end of love are both marked by embarrassment when the two find themselves alone. [Fr., Le commencement et le declin de l'amour se font sentir par l'embarras ou l'on est de se trouver seuls.]
Jean de la Bruyere
Genius and great abilities are often wanting sometimes, only opportunities. Some deserve praise for what they have done others for what they would have done.
Jean de la Bruyere
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 Bruyere