Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues (1715–47) 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.
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We are almost always guilty of the hate we encounter.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Guilt, Hate, One liners, Hatred
Wicked people are always surprised to find ability in those that are good.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Ability
One promises much, to avoid giving little.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Promises
Necessity relieves us from the embarrassment of choice.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Decisions
Simple truths are a relief from grand speculations.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Value of a Day, Time Management
The art of pleasing is the art of deception.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Deception, Deception/Lying
Patience is the art of hoping.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Hope, One liners, Patience
If people did not compliment one another there would be little society.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Compliments, Praise
The fruits of labor are the sweetest of all pleasures.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Labor
Action makes more fortune than caution.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Secrets of Success, Action, Fortune
The things we know best are the things we haven’t been taught.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Knowledge
We should expect the best and the worst of mankind, as from the weather.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Weather, Expectation
The law cannot equalize mankind in spite of nature.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Nature
Our virtues are dearer to us the more we have had to suffer for them. It is the same with our children. All profound affection admits a sacrifice.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Sacrifice
When thought is too weak to be simply expressed, it’s clear proof that it should be rejected.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Time Management, Simplicity, Value of a Day, Thoughts
Great men undertake great things because they are great; and fools because they think them easy.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Greatness, Wisdom, Motivation
The greatest evil which fortune can inflict on men is to endow them with small talents and great ambitions.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Acceptance
It is easy to criticise an author, but difficult to appreciate him.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Criticism
There are those who are so scrupulously afraid of doing wrong that they seldom venture to do anything.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Anxiety, Fear
Nothing but courage can guide life.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Courage
The idle always have a mind to do something.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Laziness
Lazy people are always anxious to be doing something.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Laziness
Give help rather than advice.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Advice
Great thoughts always come from the heart.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Thinking, Thoughts, Instincts, Thought
We must expect everything and fear everything from time to time.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Expectations
Prosperity makes few friends.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Friendship
Of all pleasures the fruit of labor is the sweetest.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Labor, Work
It is not true that equality is a law of nature.—Nature has no equality.—Its sovereign law is subordination and dependence.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Equality
There is nothing that fear and hope does not permit men to do.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Motivation, Faith, Fear, Hope, Motivational, Belief
We don’t have enough time to premeditate all our actions.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Decisions, Secrets of Success
He who knows how to suffer everything can dare everything.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Courage
The most absurd and reckless aspirations have sometimes led to extraordinary success.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Risk, Goals, Aspirations
If anyone accuses me of contradicting myself, I reply: Because I have been wrong once, or oftener, I do not aspire to be always wrong.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Change
All grand thoughts come from the heart.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Thinking, Thought, Thoughts
We cannot be just unless we are kind-hearted.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Kindness
No one is more liable to make mistakes than the man who acts only on reflection.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Instincts, Reason
Perspicuity is the framework of profound thoughts.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Style
Hope deceives more men than cunning does.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Hope
You are not born for fame if you don’t know the value of time.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
Topics: Time Management, Time
Excessive distrust of others is not less hurtful than its opposite.—Most men become useless to him who is unwilling to risk being deceived.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues
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