Joseph Joubert

Speak for the ear and write for the memory.

A stupid lie is one that can never make itself believed.

Wicked people have nothing human about them except passions: they are almost their virtues.

A book that reveals the mind is worth more than one that only reveals its subject.

No, men are not born to know, but they are destined for it.

Fortunately, when he lacks reason he also lacks words.

Whoever does not see his friends in a good light loves them little. To see in a good light. — Whoever does not see in a good light is a bad painter, a bad friend, a bad lover. Whoever does not see in a good light has not been able to lift his mind up to what is there or his heart to what is good.

The punishment of those who have loved women too much is to love them forever.

Strength is not energy. Some writers have more muscles than talent.

Tenderness is the repose of passion.

During our youth, there is something in us that is better than ourselves, I mean better than our desires, our pleasures, our yieldings, and our inclinations. Our soul is good then, even though our intelligence and will are not.

Abuse of words, foundation of ideology.