There is nothing that does not have something perfect in it; and it is the happiness of good taste to be able to find this perfection in all things. But there is a natural malignity that often discovers a vice in the midst of several virtues, in order to reveal and proclaim the discovery to all the world - a quality that is more the mark of a naturally evil temperament than a superior sense of discrimination. And it is truly an evil lot, to pass one's life always feeding off the imperfections of others.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

Categorized in : Order Life Discovery

There are people so blind and self-absorbed in all matters that they always believe that, whatever they desire or think, they can impose their will on other people. Whatever bad reason they use to persuade others, these self-centered people are so caught up in the process that it seems to them all they have to do is to speak their wishes in a lofty and commanding tone of voice in order to convince everybody.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

self believe thinking

To be too dissatisfied with ourselves is a weakness. To be too satisfied with ourselves is a stupidity.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

satisfied weakness stupid

It is a singular characteristic of love that we cannot hide it where it exists, or pretend it where it does not exist.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

characteristics doe love

There is a certain hidden mediocrity in those who are stationed above us in life, an ability to take liberties in their pursuit of pleasures and diversions, without injuring the honor and respect we owe to them.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

respect honor life

Self-love is even deceived by self-love, because by looking out for our own interests and disregarding those of other people, we lose the advantage that comes with the exchange of favors.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

self love-is people

There are petty-minded people who cannot endure to be reminded of their ignorance because, since they are usually quite blind to all things, quite foolish, and quite ignorant, they never question anything, and are persuaded that they see clearly what in fact they never see at all, save through the darkness of their own dispositions.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

ignorance darkness people

When High and Mighty people want to make us believe that they possess some good quality which they in fact do not have, it is dangerous to show that you doubt them; because, by removing their hope of deceiving the world, you also remove their desire to perform the good acts that might have arisen from their very pretensions.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

believe lying people

There is no one who cannot derive great help and great benefit from learning; but there are also only a few people who do not receive a great harm from the light and knowledge they have received by learning, unless they use their knowledge in a manner both fit and natural for them.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

learning light people

Nothing can tell us so much about the general lawlessness of humanity as a perfect acquaintance with our own immoderate behavior. If we would think over our own impulses, we would recognize in our own souls the guiding principle of all vices which we reproach in other people; and if it is not in our very actions, it will be present at least in our impulses. There is no malice that self-love will not offer to our spirits so that we may exploit any occasion, and there are few people virtuous enough not to be tempted.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

guiding-principles self thinking

There are many people who are so inclined to say "no" that the "no" always precedes whatever we say to them. This negative quality makes them so disagreeable that, even if they do what we want them to or agree with what we say, they always lose the pleasure that they might have received had they not started off so badly.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

quality people negative

We are more put off by people who parade their dignity than by people who show off their wardrobes. When people have to trick themselves out to gain attention, it is a sure sign that they are unworthy of it. If we want to make ourselves worthy, we can do so only by the innate eminence conferred by virtue. We hold great people in esteem more for the qualities of their soul than for the qualities of their fortune.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

quality soul people

There is as much wisdom in soliciting good counsel as in giving it. The most sensible people are not reluctant to consider the feelings of other people; and to know how to submit to the wise guidance of others is a kind of wisdom in itself.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

wise giving people

Virtue is not always where it seems to be. People sometimes acknowledge favors only to maintain their reputations, and to make themselves more impudently ungrateful for favors that they do not wish to acknowledge.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

ungrateful wish people

When people reproach us, they only increase their own failings ev... by Madeleine de Souvre, marquise...

When people reproach us, they only increase their own failings even as they are disclaiming them.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

increase failing people

We learn as much by others' failings as by their teachings. Examples of imperfection is just as useful for achieving perfection as are models of competence and perfection.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

example teaching perfection

We prefer people who are trying to imitate us more than those who are trying to equal us. This is because imitation is a sign of esteem, but the desire to equal others is a sign of envy.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

envy desire people

We often value the exterior and superficial aspect of things more than their inner reality. Bad manners taint everything even justice and reason. The 'how' of things matters most, and even the most disagreeable matters can be sweetened and gilded over with the proper appearance. Such is the bias and the weakness of the human mind.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

mind justice reality

Social intercourse, even friendship among most people, is a merely a business arrangement that lasts only so long as there is need.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

business long people

It is a very trying task for deceitful people, always to have to cover up their lack of sincerity and to repair the breaking of their word.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

tasks trying people

There is a certain imperiousness, in the manner of speaking and in actions, which makes itself felt everywhere, and soon wins attention and respect. This commanding quality is useful in all affairs, and even for obtaining what we ask for.

Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable

respect quality winning