Joseph Joubert

Few minds are spacious; few even have an empty place in them or can offer some vacant point. Almost all have narrow capacities and are filled by some knowledge that blocks them up. What a torture to talk to filled heads, that allow nothing from the outside to enter them! A good mind, in order to enjoy itself and allow itself to enjoy others, always keeps itself larger than its own thoughts. And in order to do this, these thoughts must be given a pliant form, must be easily folded and unfolded, so that they are capable, finally, of maintaining a natural flexibility.All those short-sighted minds see clearly within their little ideas and see nothing in those of others; they are like those bad eyes that see from close range what is obscure and cannot perceive what is clear from afar. Night minds, minds of darkness.

Through memory we travel against time, through forgetfulness we follow its course.

Those for whom the world is not enough: saints, conquerors, poets, and all lovers of books.

Tenderness is the repose of passion.

The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old ones.

When you go in search of honey, you must expect to be stung by bees.

Genius begins great works labor alone finishes them.

The best remedy for a short temper is a long walk.

Grace is in garments, in movements, in manners; beauty in the nude, and in forms. This is true of bodies; but when we speak of feelings, beauty is in their spirituality, and grace in their moderation.

Only choose in marriage a man whom you would choose as a friend if he were a woman.

Justice is the truth in action.

Superstition is the only religion of which base souls are capable of.

One who has imagination without learning has wings without feet.

Love and fear. Everything the father of a family says must inspire one or the other.

When you go in search of honey you must expect to be stung by bees.

Space is to place as eternity is to time.

A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.

It is not my words that I polish, but my ideas. 102