--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Too elevated qualities often unfit a man…" description: "\"Too elevated qualities often unfit a man for society. We do not go to market with ingots, but with silver and small change.\" — Nicolas Chamfort" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b61/nicolas-chamfort-2263_change_too-elevated-qualities-often-unfit-a-man_1246576.png" --- # Too elevated qualities often unfit a man for society. We… ![“Too elevated qualities often unfit a man for society. We do not go to market with ingots, but with silver and small change.” quote by Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b61/nicolas-chamfort-2263_change_too-elevated-qualities-often-unfit-a-man_1246576.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b61/nicolas-chamfort-2263_change_too-elevated-qualities-often-unfit-a-man_1246576.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b61/nicolas-chamfort-2263_change_too-elevated-qualities-often-unfit-a-man_1246576.png) > “Too elevated qualities often unfit a man for society. We do not go to market with ingots, but with silver and small change.” [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. High moral standards can isolate individuals from everyday society; practicality often outweighs lofty ideals. **In simple terms:** Being too noble can make you out of touch. Key Takeaway Balance ideals with everyday practicality. Themes society morality practicality Mood reflective serious Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - business negotiations - community leadership - personal relationships Key Concepts idealism social integration Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay grounded while pursuing high ideals? - When should practicality trump principle? A Different Perspective Idealism may clash with real‑world constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Elevated Qualities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elevated-qualities-3912143/) [Ingots Silver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ingots-silver-3912144/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Man Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-society-1040135/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Qualities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/qualities/) [Qualities Unfit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/qualities-unfit-3912142/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Silver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silver/) [Small changes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-changes/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/) ## Related quotes > [It's upsetting to be a man in our society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mamet/it-s-upsetting-to-be-a-man-in-our-society/) [David Mamet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mamet/) > [“A man is his own society”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/preeti-bhonsle/a-man-is-his-own-society/) [Preeti Bhonsle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/preeti-bhonsle/) > [“I am not what you call a civilised man! I have done with society entirely, for reasons which I alone have the right of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/i-am-not-what-you-call-a-civilised-man-i-have-done-with-society/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [The more humanity owes the poor man, the more society denies him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-rousseau/the-more-humanity-owes-the-poor-man-the-more-society-denies-him/) [Henri Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-rousseau/) > [Many of us do not believe in capital punishment, because thus society takes from a man what society cannot give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-fullerton-gerould/many-of-us-do-not-believe-in-capital-punishment-because-thus-society/) [Katharine Fullerton Gerould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-fullerton-gerould/) > [I think, as a gay man in society, we are not accepted yet... let alone a gay man with a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-evans/i-think-as-a-gay-man-in-society-we-are-not-accepted-yet-let-alone-a/) [Scott Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-evans/) > [Man is not made for society, but society is made for man. No institution can be good which does not tend to improve the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fuller/man-is-not-made-for-society-but-society-is-made-for-man-no/) [Margaret Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-fuller/) > [“The influence of man on society and of society on nab is a vicious circle from which only a few hardy souls can free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-springer-hall/the-influence-of-man-on-society-and-of-society-on-nab-is-a-vicious/) [Calvin Springer Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-springer-hall/) > [“God made man, but man made the society we live in.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-cantore/god-made-man-but-man-made-the-society-we-live-in/) [Janice Cantore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-cantore/) > [How different a creature is man in society and man in solitude!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/how-different-a-creature-is-man-in-society-and-man-in-solitude/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [“he hath no cause to complain for being cast out of man’s society that gains Christ’s presence by the same.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gurnall/he-hath-no-cause-to-complain-for-being-cast-out-of-man-s-society-that/) [William Gurnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gurnall/) > [No man can have society upon his own terms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-man-can-have-society-upon-his-own-terms/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Every right has its responsibilities. Like the right itself, these responsibilities stem from no man-made law, but from the very nature of man and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-schwellenbach/every-right-has-its-responsibilities-like-the-right-itself-these/) [Lewis B. Schwellenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-schwellenbach/) > [The man whom society will not forgive nor restore is driven into recklessness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-robertson/the-man-whom-society-will-not-forgive-nor-restore-is-driven-into/) [Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/) > [Society has always been the free man's greatest enemy. And the free man has been society's greatest friend. How did society treat Jesus, Socrates,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-boldt/society-has-always-been-the-free-man-s-greatest-enemy-and-the-free/) [Laurence Boldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-boldt/) ## More by Nicolas Chamfort > [Men of reason have endured;men of passion have lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/men-of-reason-have-endured-men-of-passion-have-lived/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [Contact with the world either breaks or hardens the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/contact-with-the-world-either-breaks-or-hardens-the-heart/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [Of all days, the day on which one has not laughed is the one most surely wasted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/of-all-days-the-day-on-which-one-has-not-laughed-is-the-one-most/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [Nature never said to me: Do not be poor; still less did she say: Be rich; her cry to me was always: Be independent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/nature-never-said-to-me-do-not-be-poor-still-less-did-she-say-be-rich/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [It is commonly supposed that the art of pleasing is a wonderful aid in the pursuit of fortune; but the art of being bored…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/it-is-commonly-supposed-that-the-art-of-pleasing-is-a-wonderful-aid/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [How many fools does it take to make up a public?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/how-many-fools-does-it-take-to-make-up-a-public/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [The poor are the blacks of Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/the-poor-are-the-blacks-of-europe/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [It is with happiness as with watches: the less complicated, the less easily deranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/it-is-with-happiness-as-with-watches-the-less-complicated-the-less/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [A modicum of discord is the very spice of courtship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/a-modicum-of-discord-is-the-very-spice-of-courtship/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [Tragedy has the great moral defect of giving too much importance to life and death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/tragedy-has-the-great-moral-defect-of-giving-too-much-importance-to/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [Men's hearts and faces are always wide asunder; women's are not only in close connection, but are mirror-like in the instant power of reflection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/men-s-hearts-and-faces-are-always-wide-asunder-women-s-are-not-only/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [I only study the things I like; I apply my mind only to matters that interest me. 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But their mistake gradually becomes evident, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/sometimes-apparent-resemblance-of-character-will-bring-two-men/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) [Explore all 169 Nicolas Chamfort quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) [Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/) > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. 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