The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Confidence contributes more to conversation than wit.
Interpretation
Confidence is more important than cleverness in conversations.
This quote suggests that having confidence in oneself is more valuable to effective communication than simply possessing witty remarks or clever arguments. It highlights the idea that the way we present ourselves and engage with others can have a greater impact than the substance of our words.
In practice
In a workshop on effective communication, you might say this quote to emphasize the importance of self-confidence.
The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Old men delight in giving good advice as a consolation for the fact that they can no longer set bad examples.
Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
When an idea exclusively occupies the mind, it is transformed into an actual physical or mental state.
It's the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.
An ad hominem attack against an individual, not against an idea, is highly flattering. It indicates that the person does not have anything intelligent to say about your message.
Our desires always increase with our possessions. The knowledge that something remains yet unenjoyed impairs our enjoyment of the good before us.
Most people consider me an optimist because I laughingly state that I would take my last two dollars and buy a money belt.
Some would find fault with the morning, if they ever got up early enough.. The fault find faults even in Paradise.
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