A philospher sees the Earth as a large planet, travelling through the heavens, covered with fools
BERNARD LE BOVIER DE FONTENELLEHardly anyone knows how much is gained by ignoring the future.
More Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle Quotes
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A true philosopher is like an elephant; he never puts the second foot down until the first one is solidly in place.
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The Art of Flying is but newly invented, twill improve by degrees, and in time grow perfect; then we may fly as far as the Moon.
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Modesty in women has two special advantages,–it enhances beauty and veils uncomeliness.
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A well-cultivated mind is, so to speak, made up of all the minds of preceding ages; it is only one single mind which has been educated during all this time.
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It is a great obstacle to happiness to expect too much.
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They will have the World to be in Large, what a Watch is in Small; which is very regular, and depends only upon the just disposing of the several Parts of the Movement.
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Our sun enlightens the planets that belong to him; why may not every fixed star also have planets to which they give light?
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If I had my hand full of truth, I would take good care how I opened it.
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I hate war, for it spoils conversation.
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The judgment may be compared to a clock or watch, where the most ordinary machine is sufficient to tell the hours; but the most elaborate alone can point out the minutes and seconds, and distinguish the smallest differences of time.
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People almost always do great things without knowing how to do them, and are quite surprised to have done them.
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I shall leave the world without regret, for it hardly contains a single good listener.
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Women react differently: a French woman who sees herself betrayed by her husband will kill his mistress; an Italian will kill her husband; a Spaniard will kill both; and a German will kill herself.
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Since the princes take the Earth for their own, it’s fair that the philosophers reserve the sky for themselves and rule there, but they should never permit the entry of others.
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It is beauty that begins to please, and tenderness that completes the cbarm.
BERNARD LE BOVIER DE FONTENELLE