Quote

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
Spirit
Witty
Others
Leaves
Well
Oneself
Much
Conversation
Deals
Displaying
Company
Cleverness
Less
Pleased
Helping
Consists

More quotes by Jean de la Bruyere

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When what you read elevates your mind and fills you with noble aspirations, look for no other rule by which to judge a book it is good, and is the work of a master-hand.
Jean de la Bruyere
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Hatred is so lasting and stubborn, that reconciliation on a sickbed certainly forebodes death.
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All confidence placed in another is dangerous if it is not perfect, for on almost all occasions we ought to tell everything or to conceal everything. We have already told too much of our secret, if one single circumstance is to be kept back.
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A great mind is above insults, injustice, grief, and raillery, and would be invulnerable were it not open to compassion.
Jean de la Bruyere
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Caprice in woman is the antidote to beauty.
Jean de la Bruyere
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All the worth of some people lies in their name upon a closer inspection it dwindles to nothing, but from a distance it deceives us.
Jean de la Bruyere
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If men wish to be held in esteem, they must associate with those only who are estimable.
Jean de la Bruyere
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A man's worth is estimated in this world according to his conduct.
Jean de la Bruyere
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The Great slight the men of wit, who have nothing but wit the men of wit despise the Great, who have nothing but greatness the good man pities them both, if with greatness or wit they have not virtue.
Jean de la Bruyere
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He who knows how to wait for what he desires does not feel very desperate if he fails in obtaining it and he, on the contrary, who is very impatient in procuring a certain thing, takes so much pains about it, that, even when he is successful, he does not think himself sufficiently rewarded.
Jean de la Bruyere
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A man unattached and without wife, if he have any genius at all, may raise himself above his original position, may mingle with the world of fashion, and hold himself on a level with the highest this is less easy for him who is engaged it seems as if marriage put the whole world in their proper rank.
Jean de la Bruyere
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It is through madness that we hate an enemy, and think of revenging ourselves and it is through indolence that we are appeased, and do not revenge ourselves.
Jean de la Bruyere
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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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I do not doubt but that genuine piety is the spring of peace of mind it enables us to bear the sorrows of life, and lessens the pangs of death: the same cannot be said of hypocrisy.
Jean de la Bruyere
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We meet With few utterly dull and stupid souls: the sublime and transcendent are still fewer the generality of mankind stand between these two extremes: the interval is filled with multitudes of ordinary geniuses, but all very useful, and the ornaments and supports of the commonwealth.
Jean de la Bruyere
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I am not surprised that there are gambling houses, like so many snares laid for human avarice like abysses where many a man's money is engulfed and swallowed up without any hope of return like frightful rocks against which the gamblers are thrown and perish.
Jean de la Bruyere
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Great things astonish us, and small dishearten us. Custom makes both familiar.
Jean de la Bruyere
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A person's worth in this world is estimated according to the value he puts on himself.
Jean de la Bruyere
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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.
Jean de la Bruyere
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How much wit, good-nature, indulgences, how many good offices and civilities, are required among friends to accomplish in some years what a lovely face or a fine hand does in a minute!
Jean de la Bruyere