Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) was a French man of letters who wrote on philosophical, moral, and literary topics. He is remembered today largely for his Pensées (Thoughts,) which were published posthumously.
Born in Montignac, Perigord, Joubert studied and taught at the college of Toulouse. He then went to Paris, where he lived through the French Revolution. In 1809, he was nominated inspector-general for the lycées (universities) under Napoleon Bonaparte.
Throughout his life, Joubert wrote in notebooks, on scraps of paper, which he then stored, mostly unclassified, in a case. After his death, his friend François-René de Châteaubriand edited a small volume from Joubert’s papers.
Joubert found fame for the concise, accurate—and, at times, witty—quality of writing in his Recueil des pensées de M. Joubert (1838, also Pensées or ‘Thoughts.’) These are in the best French tradition of François de La Rochefoucauld, Blaise Pascal, and Jean de La Bruyèreand Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Joseph Joubert
The passions should be purged; all may become innocent if they are well directed and moderated. Even hatred may be a commendable feeling when it is caused by a lively love of good. Whatever makes the passions purer makes them stronger, more durable, and mere enjoyable.
—Joseph Joubert
He who has not the weakness of friendship has not the strength.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Friendship
A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Kindness, Compassion, Service
Ambition is pitiless. Any merit that it cannot use it finds despicable.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Ambition
Children have more need of models than of critics.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Example, Children
Our worries always come from our weaknesses.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Weakness
We may convince others by our arguments, but we can only persuade them by their own.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Women
Never cut what you can untie.
—Joseph Joubert
Chance usually favors the prudent man.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Luck, Chance
Success serves men as a pedestal; it makes them look larger, if reflection does not measure them.
—Joseph Joubert
Topics: Success
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