Jacques-Benigne Bossuet Quotes

The greatest weakness of all weaknesses is to fear too much to appear weak.

The worst derangement of the spirit is to believe things because we want them to be so, not because we have seen them for what they are.

The heart has reasons that reason does not understand.

Truth is a queen who has her eternal throne in heaven, and her seat of empire in the heart of God.

Honor is like the eye, which cannot suffer the least impurity without damage. It is a precious stone, the price of which is lessened by a single flaw.

The spirit of the world encloses four kinds of spirits, diametrically opposed to charity--the spirit of resentment, spirit of aversion, spirit of jealousy and the spirit of indifference.

Well-meant ignorance is a grievous calamity in high places.

Only great souls know the grandeur there is in charity.

Readiness for death is that of character, rather than of occupation. It is right living which prepares for safe or even joyous dying. - Jacques

To know one's self, one must go all the way to horror.

The greatest of all weaknesses is the fear of appearing weak.

In the midst of the disguises and artifices that reign among men, it is only attention and vigilance that can save us from surprises.

The world itself makes us sick of the world.

Every error is truth abused.

O death! We thank you for the light that you will shed upon our ignorance.