Nicolas de Chamfort, son of an aristocratic mother and a cleric, was raised by a grocer. He was a French writer and journalist, best known for his witty epigrams and aphorisms. He was secretary of Louis XIV’s sister, and of the Jacobin club. The writings of Nicolas de Chamfort include comedies, political articles, literary criticisms, portraits, letters, and verses. His works are among the most brilliant and suggestive sayings that have been given to the modern world.
(1741 – 1794)
– Nicolas de Chamfort Quotes –
My friend, I’m finally taking leave of this earth, a place where one’s heart must either break or be hard as bronze.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
All passions exaggerate; and they are passions only because they do exaggerate.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
Most of those who make collections of verse or epigram are like men eating cherries or oysters: they choose out the best at first, and end by eating all.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
Change of fashion is the tax levied by the industry of the poor on the vanity of the rich.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
There are certain times when public opinion is the worst of all opinions.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
Conviction is the conscience of the mind.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
Do you think that revolutions are made with rose water?
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
There are two things that one must get used to or one will find life unendurable: the damages of time and injustices of men.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
Celebrity is the advantage of being known to people who we don’t know, and who don’t know us.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
There are well-dressed foolish ideas just as there are well-dressed fools.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
Whatever evil a man may think of women, there is no woman but thinks more.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
When a man and a woman have an overwhelming passion for each other, it seems to me, in spite of such obstacles dividing them as parents or husband, that they belong to each other in the name of Nature, and are lovers by Divine right, in spite of human convention or the laws.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
I have three kinds of friends: those who love me, those who pay no attention to me, and those who detest me.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
There are more people who wish to be loved than there are who are willing to love.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
If it were not for the government, we should have nothing to laugh at in France.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
Real worth requires no interpreter: its everyday deeds form its emblem.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
The contemplative life is often miserable. One must act more, think less, and not watch oneself live.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
It is commonly supposed that the art of pleasing is a wonderful aid in the pursuit of fortune; but the art of being bored is infinitely more successful.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
Swallow a toad in the morning and you will encounter nothing more disgusting the rest of the day.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
Man may aspire to virtue, but he cannot reasonably aspire to truth.
~ Nicolas de Chamfort
