We would often rather seem dutiful to others than to succeed in our duties; and often we would rather tell our friends… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
Social intercourse, even friendship among most people, is a merely a business arrangement that lasts only so long as there is need. — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
Although most friendships that exist do not merit the name, we can nevertheless make use of them in accordance with our needs,… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
We need not regard what good a friend has done us, but only his desire to do us good. — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
Self-love is almost always the ruling principle of our friendships. It makes us avoid all our obligations in unprofitable situations, and even… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
Although we should not love our friends for the good that they do us, it is a sign that they do not… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
There are petty-minded people who cannot endure to be reminded of their ignorance because, since they are usually quite blind to all things, quite… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
There is no one who cannot derive great help and great benefit from learning; but there are also only a few people who do… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
Sometimes we praise the way things used to be in order to blame the present, and we esteem what is no longer in order… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
Even the best-natured people, if uninstructed, are always blind and uncertain. We must take pains to instruct ourselves so that ignorance makes us neither… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
When an opinionated person starts to challenge something, his mind shuts out all that could clear up the matter. The argument irritates him, however… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
It is a very common failing, never to be pleased with our fortune nor displeased with our character. — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
Honest and sincere acts mislead the wicked and cause them to lose their path to their own goals, because mean-spirited people usually believe that… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
Good results are sometimes owing to a failure of judgment, because the faculty of judgment often hinders us from undertaking many things which would… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
One cannot always bestow all manner of things upon everybody. To refuse a request for just cause is as praiseworthy as to grant a request that is worthy. It is for this reason that the "no" of some people pleases more than the "yes" of others. A refusal accompanied by sweet words and a civil manner gives more satisfaction to… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share
The shame that comes to us as we see ourselves praised when we are unworthy of it often gives us the occasion to accomplish… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
Ignorance makes for weakness and fear; knowledge gives strength and confidence. Nothing surprises an intellect that knows all things with a sense of discrimination. — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
There are people so blind and self-absorbed in all matters that they always believe that, whatever they desire or think, they can impose their will on other people. Whatever bad reason they use to persuade others, these self-centered people are so caught up in the process that it seems to them all they have to do is to speak their… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share
