Character Quote by Jean de la Bruyere
“As a man falls out of favour and his wealth declines, we discover for the first time the ridiculous aspects of his character, which were always there but which wealth and favour had concealed.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Maximes by Jean de la Bruyere, 1668
When a person's status falls, hidden flaws become visible, revealing their true nature.
In simple terms: Wealth hides character flaws; loss exposes them.
Key Takeaway
Observe how adversity reveals true character.
Themes
humility
selfawareness
wealth
status
character
Mood
reflective
critical
insightful
Type
observational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- leadership
- financial loss
- public scrutiny
- career setbacks
Key Concepts
psychology
social perception
ego
vanity
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden traits emerge when you lose status?
- How does society treat those who lose wealth?
A Different Perspective
Wealth may not be the only factor; some flaws are evident regardless.
![“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)
