Jean de La Bruyere

Every man is valued in this world as he shows by his conduct that he wishes to be valued.

Jean de La Bruyere

Everything has been said, and we are more than seven thousand years of human thought too late.

Jean de La Bruyere

Extremes are vicious, and proceed from men; compensation is just, and proceeds from God.

Jean de La Bruyere

False modesty is the masterpiece of vanity: showing the vain man in such an illusory light that he appears in the reputation of the virtue quite opposite to the vice which constitutes his real character; it is a deceit.

Jean de La Bruyere

False modesty is the refinement of vanity. It is a lie.

Jean de La Bruyere

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

Grief at the absence of a loved one is happiness compared to life with a person one hates.

Jean de La Bruyere

Hatred is so lasting and stubborn, that reconciliation on a sickbed certainly forebodes death.

Jean de La Bruyere

High birth is a gift of fortune which should never challenge esteem towards those who receive it, since it costs them neither study nor labor.

Jean de La Bruyere

I am told so many ill things of a man, and I see so few in him, that I begin to suspect he has a real but troublesome merit, as being likely to eclipse that of others.

Jean de La Bruyere