Pierre Charron Quotes

The advice of friends must be received with a judicious reserve; we must not give ourselves up to it and follow it blindly, whether right or wrong.

It is certainly much easier wholly to decline a passion than to keep it within just bounds and measures; and that which few can moderate almost anybody may prevent.

Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.

He who receives a benefit should never forget it; he who bestows should never remember it.

Wise men mingle mirth with their cares, as a help either to forget or overcome them; but to resort to intoxication for the ease of one's mind is to cure melancholy by madness.

Riches should be admitted into our houses, but not into our hearts; we may take them into our possession, but not into our affections.

All religions are pieced together out of elements which seem so at odds with reason that any intelligence laughs at them.

To owe an obligation to a worthy friend is a happiness, and can be no disparagement.

The shortest follies are the best.

Wounds and hardships provoke our courage, and when our fortunes are at the lowest, our wits and minds are commonly at the best.

God, Nature, the wise, the world, preach man, exhort him both by word and deed to the study of himself.

The shortest follies are the best. [Fr., Les plus courtes folies sont les meilleures.]

[Envy not for...] Whatever difference there may appear to be in men's fortunes, there is still a certain compensation of good and ill in all, that makes them equal.

The proper Science and Subject for Man's Contemplation is Man himself. [Fr., La vraie science et le vrai etude de l'homme c'est l'homme.]

The true science and study of mankind is man.

Great towns are but a large sort of prison to the soul; like cages to birds, or pounds to beasts.

Gratitude is a duty none can be excused from, because it is always at our own disposal.

He who receives a good turn should never forget it he who does one should never remember it.