It is a good thing to recognize one’s own faults.
[Bellum est enim sua vitia nosse.]
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Epistulae ad Atticum [Letters to Atticus], Book 2, Letter 17, sec. 2 (2.17.2) (59 BC) [tr. Winstedt (1912)]
(Source)
Speaking of his own slight "vanity and thirst for fame."
(Source (Latin)). Alternate translation:It is well to know one's faults.
[tr. Shuckburgh (1900)]It is a great thing to know our own vices.
[ed. Harbottle (1906)]It is a fine thing to recognize one's faults.
[tr. McKinlay (1926), # 14]It's a fine thing to know one's failings.
[tr. Shackleton Bailey (1968), # 37]
Quotations about:
failings
Note not all quotations have been tagged, so Search may find additional quotes on this topic.
Two persons will not be friends long if they are not inclined to pardon each otherʼs little failings.
[L’on ne peut aller loin dans l’amitié, si l’on n’est pas disposé à se pardonner les uns aux autres les petits défauts.]
Jean de La Bruyère (1645-1696) French essayist, moralist
The Characters [Les Caractères], ch. 5 “Of Society and Conversation [De la Société et de la Conversation],” § 62 (5.62) (1688) [tr. Van Laun (1885)]
(Source)
(Source (French)). Alternate translations:Two persons will not be friends a long time, if they can't forgive each other little failings.
[Bullord ed. (1696)]Two Persons will not be long Friends, if they can't forgive each other little Failings.
[Curll ed. (1713)]You will never go far in friendship unless you are ready to forgive each other's petty faults.
[tr. Stewart (1970)]
It is by means of my vices that I understand yours.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
Journal (1844, Spring-Summer)
(Source)
He recorded this phrase multiple times, including in his lecture, "The Anglo-American" (7 Dec 1852), and Notebook S Salvage.
People in general will much better bear being told of their vices or crimes than of their little failings or weaknesses.
Lord Chesterfield (1694-1773) English statesman, wit [Philip Dormer Stanhope]
Letter to his son, #204 (26 Nov 1749)
(Source)
It is in our faults and failings, not in our virtues, that we touch one another and find sympathy. We differ widely enough in our nobler qualities. It is in our follies that we are at one.
Jerome K. Jerome (1859-1927) English writer, humorist [Jerome Klapka Jerome]
Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow, “On Vanity and Vanities” (1886)
(Source)
“God does indeed forbid,” said Radulfus dryly, “that we should make more of our virtues or our failings than is due. More than your due you shall not have of, neither praise nor blame.”
Ellis Peters (1913-1995) English writer, translator [pseud. of Edith Mary Pargeter, who also wrote under the names John Redfern, Jolyon Carr, Peter Benedict]
The Rose Rent, ch. 2 (1986)
(Source)