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.
BERNARD LE BOVIER DE FONTENELLEIt is a great obstacle to happiness to expect too much.
More Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle Quotes
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Les vrais philosophes sont comme les e le phants, qui en marchant ne posent jamais le second pied a’ terre que le premier ne soit bien affermi. True philosophers are like elephants, who when walking never placetheir second footontheground untilthefirst is steady.
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It is the passions that do and undo everything.
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There are three things I have loved but never understood. Art, music and women.
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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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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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I hate war, for it spoils conversation.
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Nature intends that, at fixed periods, men should succeed each other by the instrumentality of death. We shall never outwit Nature; we shall die as usual.
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An educated mind is, as it were, composed of all the minds of preceding ages.
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Modesty in women has two special advantages,–it enhances beauty and veils uncomeliness.
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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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If I had my hand full of truth, I would take good care how I opened it.
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Ah! si l’on o” tait les chime’ res aux hommes, quel plaisir leur resterait? Oh! If man were robbed of his fantasies, what pleasure would be left him?
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It takes time to ruin a world, but time is all it takes.
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There is nothing one sees oftener than the ridiculous and magnificent, such close neighbors that they touch.
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Neatness is a crowning grace of womanhood.
BERNARD LE BOVIER DE FONTENELLE