Quotes & anectdotes from
the wise,
the foolish,
the courageous &
the drunk

Luc de Clapiers Author

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: France
  • Born: Aug 6, 1715
  • Died: May 28, 1747

Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues was a minor French writer, a moralist. He died at age 31, in broken health, having published the year prior—anonymously—a collection of essays and aphorisms with the encouragement of Voltaire, his friend. He first received public notice under his own name in 1797, and from 1857 on, his aphorisms became popular. In the history of French literature, his significance lies chiefly in his friendship with Voltaire.

The art of pleasing is the art of deception.

The law cannot equalize mankind in spite of nature.

There is nothing that fear and hope does not permit men to do.

Vice stirs up war, virtue fights.

Our failings sometimes bind us to one another as closely as could virtue itself.

You must rouse into people's consciousness their own prudence and strength, if you want to raise their character.

If people did not compliment one another there would be little society.

The most absurd and reckless aspirations have sometimes led to extraordinary success.

The things we know best are the things we haven't been taught.

Patience is the art of hoping.