Maxims and Reflections - LightNovelsOnl.com
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257
It is through his good manners that a man's peculiar nature should be made all the more conspicuous. Every one likes distinction, but it should not be disagreeable.
258
The most privileged position, in life as in society, is that of an educated soldier. Rough warriors, at any rate, remain true to their character, and as great strength is usually the cover for good nature, we get on with them at need.
259
No one is more troublesome than an awkward civilian. As his business is not with anything brutal or coa.r.s.e, he might be expected to show delicacy of feeling.
260
When we live with people who have a delicate sense of what is fitting, we get quite anxious about them if anything happens to disturb this sense.
261
No one would come into a room with spectacles on his nose, if he knew that women at once lose any inclination to look at or talk to him.
262
A familiar in the place of a respectful demeanour is always ridiculous.
263
There is no outward sign of politeness that will be found to lack some deep moral foundation. The right kind of education would be that which conveyed the sign and the foundation at the same time.
264
A man's manners are the mirror in which he shows his portrait.
263
There is a politeness of the heart, and it is allied to love. It produces the most agreeable politeness of outward demeanour.
266
Voluntary dependence is the best state, and how should that be possible without love?
267
We are never further from our wishes than when we fancy we possess the object of them.
268
No one is more of a slave than he who thinks himself free without being so.
269
A man has only to declare himself free to feel at the same moment that he is limited. Should he venture to declare himself limited, he feels himself free.
270
Against the great superiority of another there is no remedy but love.
271
It is a terrible thing for an eminent man to be gloried in by fools.
272
It is said that no man is a hero to his valet. That is only because a hero can be recognised only by a hero. The valet will probably know how to appreciate his like,--his fellow-valet.
273
There is no greater consolation for mediocrity than that the genius is not immortal.
274
The greatest men are linked to their age by some weak point.
275
We generally take men to be more dangerous than they are.
276
Fools and wise folk are alike harmless. It is the half-wise, and the half-foolish, who are the most dangerous.
277
To see a difficult thing lightly handled gives us the impression of the impossible.
278
Difficulties increase the nearer we come to our aim.
279
Sowing is not so painful as reaping.
280
We are fond of looking to the future, because our secret wishes make us apt to turn in our favour the uncertainties which move about in it hither and thither.
281
It is not easy to be in any great a.s.sembly without thinking that the chance which brings so many people together will also make us meet our friends.
