There is little advantage in pleasing ourselves when we please no one else, for our great self-love is often chastised by the… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Advantage 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… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Accomplish Copy Share Image
There is a certain hidden mediocrity in those who are stationed above us in life, an ability to take liberties in their… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Ability Copy Share Image
Often the desire to appear competent impedes our ability to become competent, because we more anxious to display our knowledge than to… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Ability Copy Share Image
It is such a great fault to talk too much that, in business and conversation, if what is good is also brief,… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Brevity 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 Deceived 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 Arrangements Copy Share Image
We must accustom ourselves to the follies of others and not be astonished at the foolishness that takes place in our presence. — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Folly 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 Causes 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 Agree Copy Share Image
He who uses trickery should at least make use of his judgment to learn that he can scarcely hide treacherous conduct for… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Clever 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 All things Copy Share Image
Everyone is so caught up in his own passions and interests that he always wants to talk about them without getting involved… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Caught Copy Share Image
The maxims of Christian life, which should draw upon the truths of the Gospel, are always partially symbolic of the mind and… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Christian Copy Share Image
In knowledge of human affairs, we should never allow our minds to be enslaved by others by subjecting ourselves to their whims.… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Accepting Copy Share Image
Good fortune almost always makes some change in a man's behavior - in his manner of speaking and acting. It is a… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Acting 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 Desire 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… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Blame 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 Acknowledge Copy Share Image
It is sometimes useful to pretend we are deceived, because when we show a deceiving man that we see through his artifices,… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Anarchy 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 Friends Copy Share Image
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 Belief 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… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Argument Copy Share Image
Mean-spirited mediocrities, especially those with a smattering of learning, are the most likely to be opinionated. Only strong minds know how to… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Abandon 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 Care 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 Advantage Copy Share Image
It is an admirable skill to able to sweeten a refusal with civil words which atone for the favor which we are… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Able 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… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Decision making Copy Share Image
The conversation of those who like to lord it over us is very disagreeable. But we should always be ready to graciously… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Acknowledge Copy Share Image
We learn as much by others' failings as by their teachings. Examples of imperfection is just as useful for achieving perfection as… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Achieve Copy Share Image
Self-love makes us deceive ourselves in almost all matters, to censure others, and to blame them for the same faults that we… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Blame Copy Share Image
Love is always master everywhere. It shapes the soul, the heart, and the mind wherever it exists. What matters is not the… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Amount Copy Share Image
There is a certain manner of self-absorption in speaking that always renders the speaker disagreeable. For it is as great a folly… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Absorption 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 Attention Copy Share Image
True merit does not depend on the times or on fashion. Those who have no other advantage than courtly manners lose it… — Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable Advantage Copy Share Image
