We do not do well except when we know where the best is and when we are assured that we have touched it and hold its power within us.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Excellence
The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Arguments, Perspective, Argument
We may convince others by our arguments, but we can only persuade them by their own.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Women
Remorse is the punishment of crime; repentance, its expiation. The former appertains to a tormented conscience; the latter to a soul changed for the better.
—Joseph Joubert
Lenity is a part of mercy, but she must not speak too loud for fear of waking justice.
—Joseph Joubert
In the commerce of speech use only coin of gold and silver.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Language
God has commanded time to console the unhappy.
—Joseph Joubert
No one is mediocre who has good sense and good sentiments.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Intelligence
What is true by lamplight is not always true by sunlight.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Truth, Light, Perspective
Avoid singularity.—There may often be less vanity in following the new modes, than in adhering to the old ones.—It is true that the foolish invent them, but the wise may conform to, instead of contradicting them.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Fashion
You arrive at truth through poetry; I arrive at poetry through truth.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Poetry
Our ideals, like pictures, are made from lights and shadows.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Ideals, Idealism
Old age deprives the intelligent man only of qualities useless to wisdom.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Old Age
The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old ones.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Literature, Books, Reading
Illusion and wisdom combined are the charm of life and art.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Illusion
When one has too great a dread of what is impending, one feels some relief when the trouble has come.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Worry
Who ever has no fixed opinions has no constant feelings.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Consistency
Genius begins great works, labor alone finishes it.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Perseverance, Endurance, Labor, Resolve
Ask the young. They know everything.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Youth, Time
The evening of a well spent life brings its lamps with it.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Age
The mind’s direction is more important than its progress.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Goals, Miscellaneous, Change, Virtues, Imagination, Knowledge, Creativity
Grace is in garments, in movements, in manners; beauty in the nude, and in forms. This is true of bodies; but when we speak of feelings, beauty is in their spirituality, and grace in their moderation.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Grace
To teach is to learn twice.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Education, Teaching, Teachers
Space is the stature of God.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Space
Happy is the man who can do only one thing; in doing it, he fulfills his destiny.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Gratitude, Appreciation, Happiness, Blessings
Never write anything that does not give you great pleasure. Emotion is easily transferred from the writer to the reader.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Writing, Authors & Writing, Writers
When my friends lack an eye, I look at them in profile.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Friendship
Tenderness is the repose of passion.
—Joseph Joubert
Ornaments were invented by modesty.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Modesty, Humility
Politeness smoothes wrinkles.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Politeness
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle French Man of Letters
- Michel de Montaigne French Essayist
- Andre Gide French Novelist
- Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues French Moralist
- Albert Camus Algerian-born French Philosopher
- Marcel Proust French Novelist
- Ken Kesey American Novelist
- Jorge Luis Borges Argentine Writer
- Giacomo Leopardi Italian Poet
- Miguel de Unamuno Spanish Philosopher, Writer
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