Believe not that Men have an Esteem for thee only because they say so.
Thomas Fuller (1654-1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 2, # 1816 (1727)
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Quotations about:
esteem
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Esteem is worth more than celebrity, respect is worth more than renown, and honor is worth more than fame.
[L’estime vaut mieux que la célébrité, la considération vaut mieux que la renommée, et l’honneur vaut mieux que la gloire.]
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, ¶ 131 (1795) [tr. Merwin (1969)]
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(Source (French)). Alternate translations:Esteem is better than celebrity, respect is better than renown, and honour than glory.
[tr. Mathers (1926)]Esteem is worth more than being celebrated, respect is better than renown, and honour is better than fame.
[tr. Pearson (1973)]Esteem is worth more than celebrity, consideration is worth more than fame, and honor is worth more than glory.
[tr. Siniscalchi (1994)]
Rank without merit earns deference without respect.
[L’importance sans mérite obtient des égards sans estime.]
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. 1, ¶ 60 (1795) [tr. Merwin (1969)]
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(Source (French)). Alternate translations:Eminence without merit earns deference without esteem.
[tr. Mathers (1926)]Being important without merit attracts consideration without esteem.
[tr. Siniscalchi (1994)]
ALCESTE: Esteem is founded on comparison:
To honor all men is to honor none.
[Sur quelque préférence une estime se fonde,
Et c’est n’estimer rien qu’estimer tout le monde.]Molière (1622-1673) French playwright, actor [stage name for Jean-Baptiste Poquelin]
Le Misanthrope, Act 1, sc. 1 (1666) [tr. Wilbur (1954)]
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(Source (French)). Alternate translations:Preference must be based on esteem, and to esteem every one is to esteem no one.
[tr. Van Laun (1878)]Esteem must be founded on some preference, and to esteem all the world is to esteem no one.
[tr. Mathew (1890)]Esteem is based on preference; to esteem the whole world alike is to feel no esteem for anyone.
[tr. Wormeley (1894)]Preference is based on esteem, and to esteem every one is not to esteem anyone.
[tr. Waller (1903)]Real love must rest upon some preference;
You might as well love none, as everybody.
[tr. Page (1913)]But true esteem is based on preference;
Esteeming everyone, you esteem nothing.
[tr. Bishop (1957)]Esteem, if it be real, means preference,
And when bestowed on all it makes no sense.
[tr. Frame (1967)]On some preference esteem is based; to esteem everything is to esteem nothing.
[E.g. (1968)]
How rich a man is all desire to know;
But none inquires if good he be or no.
To found the reward for virtuous actions on the approval of others is to choose too uncertain and shaky a foundation. Especially in an age as corrupt and ignorant as this, the good opinion of the people is a dishonor. Whom can you trust to see what is praiseworthy?
[De fonder la recompence des actions vertueuses, sur l’approbation d’autruy, c’est prendre un trop incertain et trouble fondement, signamment en un siecle corrompu et ignorant, comme cettuy cy la bonne estime du peuple est injurieuse. A qui vous fiez vous, de veoir ce qui est louable?]Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) French essayist
Essays, Book 3, ch. 2 “Of Repentence [Du Repentir]” (1586) (3.2) (1595) [tr. Frame (1943)]
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This essay first appeared in the 1588 ed. The second sentence/phrase (on the age being so corrupt) and following were added for the 1595 ed.
(Source (French)). Alternate translations:To ground the recompence of vertuous actions, upon the approbation of others, is to undertake a most uncertaine or troubled foundation, namely in an age so corrupt and times so ignorant, as this is: the vulgar peoples good opinion is injurious. Whom trust you in seeing what is commendable?
[tr. Florio (1603)]To ground the Recompence of virtuous Actions upon the Approbation of others, is too uncertain and unsafe a Foundation; especially in so corrupt and ignorant an Age as this, the good Opinion of the Vulgar is injurious. Upon whom do you relie to shew you what is recommendable?
[tr. Cotton (1686)]To ground the recompense of virtuous actions upon the approbation of others is too uncertain and unsafe a foundation, especially in so corrupt and ignorant an age as this, wherein the good opinion of the vulgar is injurious: upon whom do you rely to show you what is recommendable?
[tr. Cotton/Hazlitt (1877)]To base the reward of virtuous actions on the approbation of others is to choose a too uncertain and obscure foundation. Especially in a corrupt and ignorant age like this, the good opinion of the vulgar is offensive; to whom do you trust to perceive what is praiseworthy?
[tr. Ives (1925)]Basing the recompense of virtuous deeds on another’s approbation is to accept too uncertain and confused a foundation -- especially since in a corrupt and ignorant period like our own to be in good esteem with the masses is an insult: whom would you trust to recognize what was worthy of praise!
[tr. Screech (1987)]
He who is mistaken in an action which he sincerely believes to be right may be an enemy, but retains our esteem.
[Celui qui se trompe dans une intention qu’il croit bonne, on peut le combattre, on ne cesse pas de l’estimer.]
Jules Verne (1828-1905) French novelist, poet, playwright
The Mysterious Island, Part 3, ch. 16 (1874)
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Many men and many women enjoy popular esteem, not because they are known, but because they are not.
Nicolas Chamfort (1741-1794) French writer, epigrammist (b. Nicolas-Sébastien Roch)
(Attributed)
(Source)
Attributed in Maturin M. Ballou, Notable Thoughts About Women, #3144 (1882).
After the satisfaction of doing what is right, the greatest is that of having what we do approved by those whose opinions deserve esteem.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter (1779-07-22) to William Phillips
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The desire of the esteem of others is as real a want of nature as hunger — and the neglect and contempt of the world as severe a pain as the gout or stone.
John Adams (1735-1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797-1801)
Essay (1790), “Discourses on Davila: A Series of Papers on Political History,” No. 4, Gazette of the United States
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There is none among them more essential or remarkable, than the passion for distinction. A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved, and admired by his fellows, is one of the earliest, as well as keenest dispositions discovered in the heart of men. […] Wherever men, women, or children, are to be found, whether they be old or young — rich or poor — high or low — wise or foolish — ignorant or learned — every individual is seen to be strongly actuated by a desire to be seen, heard, talked of, approved and respected, by the people about him, and within his knowledge.
John Adams (1735-1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797-1801)
Essay (1790), “Discourses on Davila: A Series of Papers on Political History,” No. 4, Gazette of the United States
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