Court Quote by Jean de la Bruyere
“A man who knows the court is master of his gestures, of his eyes and of his face; he is profound, impenetratable; he dissimulates bad offices, smiles at his enemies, controls his irritation, disguises his passions, belies his heartm speaks and acts against his feelings.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Les Caractères, 1688
A person skilled in controlling facial expressions and demeanor can conceal true intentions and emotions, appearing inscrutable and strategic.
In simple terms: Controlling expressions hides true feelings.
Key Takeaway
Master your demeanor to influence perception.
Themes
self‑control
deception
social strategy
Mood
cautious
strategic
Type
observational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political negotiation
- business meetings
- personal relationships
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
psychology
emotional intelligence
masking
Questions to Reflect On
- How does facial control affect trust?
- When is it ethical to conceal emotions?
A Different Perspective
Such control can be perceived as manipulative and may erode trust.
![“The court is like a palace built of marble; I mean that it is made up of very hard but very polished people. [Fr., La cour est comme un edifice bati de marbre; je veux dire qu'elle est composee d'hommes fort durs mais fort polis.]” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fcf/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_built_the-court-is-like-a-palace-built-of-marb_77288.jpg)
