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False modesty is the most decent of all lies.

Nicolas Chamfort

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Nicolas Chamfort
Age: 53 †
Born: 1741
Born: April 6
Died: 1794
Died: April 13
Journalist
Philosopher
Playwright
Poet
Politician
Writer
Clarmont-Ferrand
Modesty
Hypocrisy
Decent
False
Lies
Lying

More quotes by Nicolas Chamfort

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There are more people who wish to be loved than there are who are willing to love.
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Nearly all men are slaves for the same reason that the Spartans assigned for the servitude of the Persians -- lack of power to pronounce the syllable, No. To be able to utter that word and live alone, are the only means to preserve one's freedom and one's character.
Nicolas Chamfort
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Men whose only concern is other people's opinion of them are like actors who put on a poor performance to win the applause of people of poor taste some of them would be capable of good acting in front of a good audience. A decent man plays his part to the best of his ability, regardless of the taste of the gallery.
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Conscience is a dog that does not stop us from passing but that we cannot prevent from barking.
Nicolas Chamfort
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Contact with the world either breaks or hardens the heart.
Nicolas Chamfort
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If it wasn't for me, I'd do brilliantly.
Nicolas Chamfort
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Men of reason have enduredmen of passion have lived.
Nicolas Chamfort
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Wicked people sometimes perform good actions. I suppose they wish to see if this gives as great a feeling of pleasure as the virtuous claim for it.
Nicolas Chamfort
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When a man and a woman have an overwhelming passion for each other, it seems to me, in spite of such obstacles dividing them as parents or husband, that they belong to each other in the name of Nature, and are lovers by Divine right, in spite of human convention or the laws.
Nicolas Chamfort
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Egotism is the tongue of vanity.
Nicolas Chamfort
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Do you think that revolutions are made with rose water?
Nicolas Chamfort
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There is no history worthy attention save that of free nations the history of nations under the sway of despotism is no more than a collection of anecdotes.
Nicolas Chamfort
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There are two things that one must get used to or one will find life unendurable: the damages of time and injustices of men.
Nicolas Chamfort
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How many fools does it take to make up a public?
Nicolas Chamfort
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Eminence without merit earns deference without esteem.
Nicolas Chamfort
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Swallow a toad in the morning and you will encounter nothing more disgusting the rest of the day.
Nicolas Chamfort
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Public opinion reigns in society because stupidity reigns amongst the stupid.
Nicolas Chamfort
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Though we best know and cannot deny our imperfections, it is not for us to lose our self-reliance and true manhood.
Nicolas Chamfort
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To enjoy and give enjoyment, without injury to yourself or others this is true morality.
Nicolas Chamfort
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Intelligent people make many mistakes because they cannot believe the world is really as foolish as it is.
Nicolas Chamfort