Pettiness of mind, ignorance and presumption are the cause of stubbornness, because stubborn people only want to believe what they themselves can… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
Self-love is even deceived by self-love, because by looking out for our own interests and disregarding those of other people, we lose… — 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
We prefer people who are trying to imitate us more than those who are trying to equal us. This is because imitation… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
It is a very trying task for deceitful people, always to have to cover up their lack of sincerity and to repair… — 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… — 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… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
When people reproach us, they only increase their own failings even as they are disclaiming them. — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
Instead of taking care to acquaint ourselves with others, we only think of making ourselves known to them. It would be better… — 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… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
Virtue is not always where it seems to be. People sometimes acknowledge favors only to maintain their reputations, and to make themselves… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
There are many people who are so inclined to say "no" that the "no" always precedes whatever we say to them. This… — 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… — 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… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
When High and Mighty people want to make us believe that they possess some good quality which they in fact do not… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
There is as much wisdom in soliciting good counsel as in giving it. The most sensible people are not reluctant to consider… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
We are more put off by people who parade their dignity than by people who show off their wardrobes. When people have… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
Nothing can tell us so much about the general lawlessness of humanity as a perfect acquaintance with our own immoderate behavior. If… — 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… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
It is neither a great praise nor a great blame when people say a tendency is in or out of fashion. If… — 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… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
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… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Copy Share Image
