Chamfort, Nicolas -- Products of Perfected Civilization [Produits de la Civilisation Perfectionée], Part 1 “Maxims and Thoughts [Maximes et Pensées],” ch. 2, ¶ 110 (1795) [tr. Parmée (2003), ¶ 90]

Dave — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 23:01:05 +0000

Few vices are more certain to prevent you from having lots of friends than possessing too many virtues.

[Il y a peu de vices qui empêchent un homme d’avoir beaucoup d’amis, autant que peuvent le faire de trop grandes qualités.]

Nicolas Chamfort (1741-1794) French writer, epigrammist (b. Nicolas-Sébastien Roch)
Products of Perfected Civilization [Produits de la Civilisation Perfectionée], Part 1 “Maxims and Thoughts [Maximes et Pensées],” ch. 2, ¶ 110 (1795) [tr. Parmée (2003), ¶ 90]
(Source)

(Source (French)). Alternate translations:

There are few vices that prevent a man from having many friends so much as his too high qualities prevent him.
[tr. Hutchinson (1902), "The Cynic's Breviary"]

There are few vices as likely to diminish the number of a man's friends, as can an excessive possession of fine qualities.
[tr. Mathers (1926), ¶ 90]

There are few vices that will so readily prevent a man from having many friends as will the possession of inordinate talents or virtues.
[tr. Merwin (1969)]

Few vices can prevent a man from having as many friends as too great of qualities can.
[tr. Siniscalchi (1994), ¶ 110]

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- De Oratore [On the Orator, On Oratory], Book 3, ch. 25 (3.25) / sec. 100 (55 BC) [tr. Rackham (1942)]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

Thus in all things the greatest pleasures are only narrowly separated from disgust.

[Sic omnibus in rebus, voluptatibus maximis fastidium finitimum est.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
De Oratore [On the Orator, On Oratory], Book 3, ch. 25 (3.25) / sec. 100 (55 BC) [tr. Rackham (1942)]
(Source)

(Source (Latin)). Alternate translations:

Thus, generally speaking, Loathing borders upon the most pleasing Sensations.
[tr. Guthrie (1755)]

Thus, generally speaking, satiety borders upon the most pleasing sensations.
[Source (1808)]

In all other things, loathing still borders upon the most exquisite delights.
[tr. Watson (1860)]

The extremes of gratification and disgust are separated by the finest line of demarcation.
[tr. Calvert (1870)]

In everything we do, all our keenest pleasures end in satiety.
[ed. Harbottle (1906)]

In everything else, then, the greatest pleasure borders on aversion.
[tr. May/Wisse (2001)]

WIST Quotations

Chamfort, Nicolas -- Products of Perfected Civilization [Produits de la Civilisation Perfectionée], Part 1 “Maxims and Thoughts [Maximes et Pensées],” ch. 2, ¶ 110 (1795) [tr. Parmée (2003), ¶ 90]

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- De Oratore [On the Orator, On Oratory], Book 3, ch. 25 (3.25) / sec. 100 (55 BC) [tr. Rackham (1942)]