Reason is an historian, but the passions are actors. Antoine Rivarol More Quotes by Antoine Rivarol More Quotes From Antoine Rivarol The most civilized people are as near to barbarism as the most polished steel is to rust. Nations, like metals, have only a superficial brilliancy. Antoine Rivarol political steel people Man spends his life in reasoning on the past, in complaining of the present, in fearing future. Antoine Rivarol fear life past It is the dim haze of mystery that adds enchantment to pursuit. Antoine Rivarol enchantment fog add The absolute ruler may be a Nero, but he is sometimes a Titus or Marc Aurelius; the people is often Nero, but never Marc Aurelius. Antoine Rivarol nero democracy people Of every ten persons who talk about you, nine will say something bad, and the tenth will say something good in a bad way. Antoine Rivarol persons nine way Brave men do not boast nor bluster. Deeds, not words, speak for such. Antoine Rivarol deeds bravery men To lose one's self in reverie, one must be either very happy, or very unhappy. Reverie is the child of extremes. Antoine Rivarol unhappy self children The only thing wealth does for some people is to make them worry about losing it. Antoine Rivarol doe worry people Generally speaking, there is more wit than talent in the world. Society swarms with witty people who lack talent. Antoine Rivarol witty talking people Opinions, theories, and systems pass by turns over the grindstone of time, which at first gives them brilliancy and sharpness, but finally wears them out. Antoine Rivarol time giving firsts It is easy for men to write and talk like philosophers, but to act with wisdom, there is the rub! Antoine Rivarol writing character men Memory always obeys the commands of the heart. Antoine Rivarol command heart memories Ideas are a capital that bears interest only in the hands of talent. Antoine Rivarol bears hands ideas The modest man has everything to gain, and the arrogant man everything to lose; for modesty has always to deal with generosity, and arrogance with envy. Antoine Rivarol envy generosity men A fool may have his coat embroidered with gold, but it is a fool's coat still. Antoine Rivarol coats gold may Gold like the sun, which melts wax, but hardens clay, expands great souls. Antoine Rivarol clay soul gold That which happens to the soil when it ceases to be cultivated by the social man happens to man himself when he foolishly forsakes society for solitude; the brambles grow up in his desert heart. Antoine Rivarol growing-up heart men Rumor, once started, rushes on like a river, until it mingles with, and is lost in the sea. Antoine Rivarol rumor sea rivers What isn’t clear, isn’t French. Antoine Rivarol clear Youth is not the era of wisdom; let us therefore have due consideration. Antoine Rivarol consideration eras youth
