Able Quote by Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

“There is nothing that does not have something perfect in it; and it is the happiness of good taste to be able to find this perfection in all things. But there is a natural malignity that often discovers a vice in the midst of several virtues, in order to reveal and proclaim the discovery to all the world - a quality that is more the mark of a naturally evil temperament than a superior sense of discrimination. And it is truly an evil lot, to pass one's life always feeding off the imperfections of others.”

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

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More by Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

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…

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There is no one who cannot derive great help and great benefit from learning; but there are also only a few people who do…

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Sometimes we praise the way things used to be in order to blame the present, and we esteem what is no longer in order…

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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…

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When an opinionated person starts to challenge something, his mind shuts out all that could clear up the matter. The argument irritates him, however…

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It is a very common failing, never to be pleased with our fortune nor displeased with our character.

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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…

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Good results are sometimes owing to a failure of judgment, because the faculty of judgment often hinders us from undertaking many things which would…

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One cannot always bestow all manner of things upon everybody. To refuse a request for just cause is as praiseworthy as to grant a request that is worthy. It is for this reason that the "no" of some people pleases more than the "yes" of others. A refusal accompanied by sweet words and a civil manner gives more satisfaction to…

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The shame that comes to us as we see ourselves praised when we are unworthy of it often gives us the occasion to accomplish…

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Ignorance makes for weakness and fear; knowledge gives strength and confidence. Nothing surprises an intellect that knows all things with a sense of discrimination.

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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 will on other people. Whatever bad reason they use to persuade others, these self-centered people are so caught up in the process that it seems to them all they have to do is to speak their…

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

Explore all 75 Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable quotes

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