Impertinence Quote by Jean de la Bruyere
“It is a sad thing when men have neither enough intelligence to speak well nor enough sense to hold their tongues; this is the root of all impertinence.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Les Caractères, 1688
Intelligence and restraint are essential; lacking both leads to rude behavior and impertinence.
In simple terms: Talk well and keep quiet to avoid foolishness.
Key Takeaway
Think before you speak.
Themes
communication
selfcontrol
wisdom
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- online comments
- team meetings
- family discussions
Key Concepts
rudeness
impertinence
social etiquette
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance speaking up and staying silent?
- What habits help you think before you speak?
A Different Perspective
Even intelligent people can speak thoughtlessly without self-discipline.
![“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)
