Nicolas Chamfort: Citáty anglicky

Nicolas Chamfort byl francouzský spisovatel. Citáty anglicky.
Nicolas Chamfort: 108   citátů 953   lajků

“People are always annoyed by men of letters who retreat from the world; they expect them to continue to show interest in society even though they gain little benefit from it. They would like to force them be present when lots are being drawn in a lottery for which they have no tickets.”

On se fâche souvent contre les Gens de Lettres qui se retirent du monde. On veut qu'ils prennent intérêt à la Société dont ils ne tirent presque point d'avantage. On veut les forcer d'assister éternellement aux tirages d'une loterie où ils n'ont point de billet.
Maximes et Pensées (Van Bever, Paris :1923), #447
Reflections

“There are well-dressed foolish ideas just as there are well-dressed fools.”

As quoted in The Cynic's Breviary : Maxims and Anecdotes from Nicolas de Chamfort (1902) as translated by William G. Hutchison, p. 37

“In cities the old are more corrupt than the young.”

Les vieillards, dans les capitales, sont plus corrompus que les jeunes gens.
Maximes et Pensées, #585
Maxims and Considerations

“We must start human society from scratch; as Francis Bacon said, we must recreate human understanding.”

"Reflections and Anecdotes", nr. 264 (Douglas Parmée translation)

“Poverty puts crime at a discount.”

La pauvreté met le crime au rabais.
Maximes et Pensées (Van Bever, Paris :1923), #312
Reflections; alternately translated as: "Poverty sets a reduced price on crime"; in The Viking Book of Aphorisms (1962).

“Having lots of ideas doesn't mean you're clever, any more than having lots of soldiers means you're a good general.”

On n'est point un homme d'esprit pour avoir beaucoup d'idées, comme on n'est pas un bon général pour avoir beaucoup de soldats.
Maximes et Pensées (Van Bever, Paris :1923), #446
Reflections

“His nobility led him to take a few steps in the direction of fortune, and then to despise her.”

Il avait, par grandeur d'âme, fait quelques pas vers la fortune, et par grandeur d'âme il la méprisa.
Maxims and Considerations, #548

“The public is governed as it reasons; its own prerogative is foolish speech and that of its governors is foolish action.”

Le public est gouverné comme il raisonne. Son droit est de dire des sottises, comme celui des ministres est d'en faire.
Maximes et Pensées, #503