Nearly always, so as to live at peace with ourselves, we disguise our own impotence and weakness as calculation and policy; it is our way of placating that half of our being which is in a sense a spectator of the other.

No duty, however, binds us to these so-called laws, whose corrupting influence menaces what is noblest in our being.
BENJAMIN CONSTANT

Being Free Freedom Law Speech
The great question in life is the suffering we cause, and the most ingenious metaphysics do not justify the man who has broken the heart that loved him.
BENJAMIN CONSTANT

Broken Heart Justify Men
Every time government attempts to handle our affairs, it costs more and the results are worse than if we had handled them ourselves.
BENJAMIN CONSTANT

Affair Cost Government
Nearly always, so as to live at peace with ourselves, we disguise our own impotence and weakness as calculation and policy; it is our way of placating that half of our being which is in a sense a spectator of the other.
BENJAMIN CONSTANT

Calculation Half Way Weakness
Art for art’s sake, with no purpose, for any purpose perverts art. But art achieves a purpose which is not its own. (1804)
BENJAMIN CONSTANT

Achieve Art Purpose Sake
There is a bizarre notion according to which it is claimed that because men are corrupt, it is necessary to give certain of them all the more power… on the contrary, they must be given less power.
BENJAMIN CONSTANT

Giving Men Philosophy
There are things one does not say for a long time, but, once they are said, one never stops repeating them.
BENJAMIN CONSTANT

Long Speech Stop Things

More Benjamin Constant Quotes