WIST Quotations

La Rochefoucauld, Francois -- Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶195 (1665-1678) [pub. Donaldson (1783), ¶442]

Dave — Wed, 27 May 2026 18:00:54 +0000

The reason we are not often wholly possessed by a single vice, is that we are distracted by several.

[Ce qui nous empêche souvent de nous abandonner à un seul vice est que nous en avons plusieurs.]

François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶195 (1665-1678) [pub. Donaldson (1783), ¶442]
(Source)

Present in 1st (1665) edition. In the manuscript, the ending reads "est que nous en avons plusieurs à la fois."

(Source (French)). Other translations:

The only Reason why we do not give our selves entirely to one Vice, is oftentimes, because our Affections are divided, and we are fond of several.
[tr. Stanhope (1694), ¶196]

The reason we are not often wholly possessed by a single vice, is, that we are distracted by several.
[ed. Lepoittevin-Lacroix (1797), ¶187]

We are not often possessed wholly by a single vice: the reason is, we are distracted by several.
[ed. Carvill (1835), ¶378]

What often prevents our abandoning ourselves to a single vice is, our having more than one.
[ed. Gowens (1851), ¶204]

The reason which often prevents us abandoning a single vice is having so many.
[tr. Bund/Friswell (1871), ¶195]

We are not the victims of a single vice only because we are the victims of so many.
[tr. Heard (1917), ¶200]

We are often saved from exclusive addiction to a single vice by the possession of others.
[tr. Stevens (1939), ¶195]

The multiplicity of our vices often prevents us from abandoning ourselves entirely to one.
[tr. FitzGibbon (1957), ¶195]

What often prevents our being enslaved by a single vice is that we have a number of others.
[tr. Kronenberger (1959), ¶195]

What often prevents our giving ourselves up to a single vice is that we have several.
[tr. Tancock (1959), ¶195]

What often prevents us from giving ourselves up to one single vice, is that we possess several of them.
[tr. Whichello (2016) ¶195]

Berry, Wendell -- Poem (1980), “A Warning To My Readers,” A Part, ch. 3

Dave — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:32:34 +0000

Do not think me gentle
because I speak in praise
of gentleness, or elegant
because I honor the grace
that keeps this world. I am
a man crude as any,
gross of speech, intolerant,
stubborn, angry, full
of fits and furies. That I
may have spoken well
at times, is not natural.
A wonder is what it is.

Wendell Berry (b. 1934) American farmer, educator, poet, conservationist
Poem (1980), “A Warning To My Readers,” A Part, ch. 3
(Source)

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Epistulae ad Atticum [Letters to Atticus], Book 2, Letter 17, sec. 2 (2.17.2) (59 BC) [tr. Winstedt (1912)]

Dave — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 17:05:27 +0000

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]

La Bruyere, Jean de -- 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)]

Dave — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 00:17:05 +0000

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)]

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- Journal (1844, Spring-Summer)

Dave — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 02:27:49 +0000

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.

Epictetus -- (Attributed)

Dave — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:45:13 +0000

When you are offended at any man’s fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger.

Epictetus (c. 55-c. 135 AD) Greek (Phrygian) Stoic philosopher [Ἐπίκτητος, Epíktētos]
(Attributed)

Chesterfield (Lord) -- Letter to his son, #204 (26 Nov 1749)

Dave — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:01:46 +0000

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)

Lippmann, Walter -- “The Grace of Humility,” New York Herald Tribune (24 Sep 1957)

Dave — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 12:55:21 +0000

Our faults and sins seem all the bigger when they are seen by the world against the excessively self-righteous picture that is our official version of ourselves.

Walter Lippmann (1889-1974) American journalist and author
“The Grace of Humility,” New York Herald Tribune (24 Sep 1957)

Jerome, Jerome K. -- Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow, “On Vanity and Vanities” (1886)

Dave — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:55:31 +0000

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)

La Rochefoucauld, Francois -- Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶442 (1665-1678) [tr. Kronenberger (1959)]

Dave — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 18:57:51 +0000

We try to make virtues of the faults we do not wish to correct.

[Nous essayons de nous faire honneur des défauts que nous ne voulons pas corriger.]

François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶442 (1665-1678) [tr. Kronenberger (1959)]
(Source)

First appeared in the 5th (1678) edition.

(Source (French)). Other translations:

We attempt to Vindicate, and value our selves upon those Faults we have no design to mend.
[tr. Stanhope (1694), ¶2.30; (1706 ed.), ¶442]

We endeavour to get reputation by those faults we determine not to amend.
[pub. Donaldson (1783), ¶138; ed. Carvill (1835), ¶122]

We endeavor to make a merit of faults that we are unwilling to correct.
[ed. Gowens (1851), ¶467]

We try to make a virtue of vices we are loth to correct.
[tr. Bund/Friswell (1871), ¶442]

We boast the faults we are unwilling to correct.
[tr. Heard (1917), ¶464]

We endeavour to take pride in faults that we would rather not correct.
[tr. Stevens (1939), ¶442]

We try to glory in those failings which we are unwilling to correct.
[tr. FitzGibbon (1957), ¶442]

We try to make virtues out of the faults we have no wish to correct.
[tr. Tancock (1959), ¶442]

We try to make a merit of those of our faults which we do not wish to correct.
[tr. Whichello (2016) ¶442]

Peters, Ellis -- Cadfael Chronicles No. 14, The Rose Rent, ch. 2 (1986)

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

“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]
Cadfael Chronicles No. 14, The Rose Rent, ch. 2 (1986)
(Source)