Quote

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

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

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
Men
Position
Raises
Mingle
World
Wife
Highest
Bachelors
Less
Level
Rank
Easy
Genius
Proper
Seems
Marriage
Raise
May
Hold
Engaged
Without
Fashion
Originals
Whole
Levels
Original
Unattached

More quotes by Jean de la Bruyere

Image
Nothing is easier for passion than to overcome reason, but the greatest triumph is to conquer a man's own interests.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
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.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
The best way to get on in the world is to make people believe it's to their advantage to help you.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
It's motive alone which gives character to the actions of men.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
Most men spend the best part of their lives making the remaining part wretched.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
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
Image
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.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
The highest reach of a news-writer is an empty Reasoning on Policy, and vain Conjectures on the public Management.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
There are certain people who so ardently and passionately desire a thing, that from dread of losing it they leave nothing undone to make them lose it.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
A guilty man is punished as an example for the mob an innocent man convicted is the business of every honest citizen.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
The State not seldom tolerates a comparatively great evil to keep out millions of lesser ills and inconveniences which otherwise would be inevitable and without remedy.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
A vain man finds his account in speaking good or evil of himself.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
Duty is what goes most against the grain, because in doing that we do only what we are strictly obliged to, and are seldom much praised for it.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
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
Image
If poverty is the mother of all crimes, lack of intelligence is the father.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
Children have neither past nor future and that which seldom happens to us, they rejoice in the present. [Fr., Les enfants n'ont ni passe ni avenir et, ce qui ne nous arrive guere, ils jouissent du present.]
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
Widows, like ripe fruit, drop easily from their perch.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
Tyranny has no need of arts or sciences, for its policy, which is very shallow and without any refinement, only consists in shedding blood.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
A position of eminence makes a great person greater and a small person less.
Jean de la Bruyere
Image
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