Translated by Arthur Chandler and ChatGPT 3.5
La Rochefoucauld and Madame de Sablé's Salon
The Master of Eloquent Melancholy: the Duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680)
Some images of the Parisian Salon
Stefan Zweig on the virtues of translating:
"Just because every strange language at first offers opposition in its most personal turnings to those who would copy it, it invites forces of expression which, otherwise unsought, would never come to light; and this struggle to wrest from a strange language its most intimate essence and to mold it as plastically into one’s own language, was always a particular artistic desire on my part. Because this silent and actually thankless work requires patience and perseverance, [translation] became particularly dear to me; for in this humble activity of transmitting the highest treasures of art I experienced for the first time the assurance of doing something truly useful, a justification of my existence.” — The World of Yesterday
#1
Ce que nous prenons pour des vertus n'est souvent qu'un assemblage de diverses actions et de divers intérêts, que la fortune ou notre industrie savent arranger; et ce n'est pas toujours par valeur et par chasteté que les hommes sont vaillants, et que les femmes sont chastes.
[My translation: “What we take for virtue is often only a collection of diverse acts and interests, which either fortune or our own effort makes possible. It is not always valor that makes men brave, or chastity that makes women chaste.”]
[ChatGPT 3.5 translation: "What we take for virtues is often just a combination of various actions and interests that fortune or our own industry can arrange. It is not always through bravery and chastity that men are courageous, and women are chaste."]
[ChatGPT3.5 rephrased: “What we often consider as virtues may, in reality, be a blend of different actions and interests that either luck or our own efforts can align. Courage in men and chastity in women do not always exclusively result from bravery and moral purity. Instead, they can be influenced by a variety of factors and circumstances.”]
#2
L'amour-propre est le plus grand de tous les flatteurs.
Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers.
[ChatGPT 3.5 translation: “Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers.”]
#3
Quelque découverte que l'on ait faite dans le pays de l'amour-propre, il y reste encore bien des terres inconnues.
No matter how many discoveries we make in the land of self-love, there are always more unknown territories.
[ChatGPT translation: "No matter what discoveries one has made in the land of self-love, there are still many unknown territories left."]
#4
L'amour-propre est plus habile que le plus habile homme du monde.
Self-love is shrewder than the cleverest man in the world.
[ChatGPT translation: "Self-love is more cunning than the most cunning man in the world."]
#5
La durée de nos passions ne dépend pas plus de nous que la durée de notre vie.
The duration of our passions is no more dependent upon us than the duration of our life.
[ChatGPT translation: "The duration of our passions depends no more on us than the duration of our life."]
[“The human character, however it may be exalted or depressed by a temporary enthusiasm, will return by degrees to its proper and natural level, and will resume those passions that seem the most adapted to its present condition.” — Edward Gibbon]
#6
La passion fait souvent un fou du plus habile homme, et rend souvent les plus sots habiles.
Passion often makes the shrewdest people foolish, and often makes the most foolish people shrewd.
[ChatGPT3.5: "Passion often turns the most skillful man into a fool and often makes the most foolish ones clever."]
#7
Ces grandes et éclatantes actions qui éblouissent les yeux sont représentées par les politiques comme les effets des grands desseins, au lieu que ce sont d'ordinaire les effets de l'humeur et des passions Ainsi la guerre d'Auguste et d'Antoine, qu'on rapporte à l'ambition qu'ils avaient de se rendre maîtres du monde, n'était peut-être qu'un effet de jalousie.
Grand, spectacular acts that dazzle the eyes are represented to us as the effects of great plans, when in fact they are the results of temperament and passions. Thus the war between Emperor Augustus and Anthony, which are attributed to their desires to become masters of the world, were perhaps only an effect of jealousy.
[ChatGPT3.5: "These great and brilliant actions that dazzle the eyes are portrayed by politicians as the results of grand designs, whereas they are usually the effects of temperament and passions. Thus, the war between Augustus and Antony, which is attributed to their ambition to conquer the world, may have been nothing more than an effect of jealousy."]
#8
Les passions sont les seuls orateurs qui persuadent toujours. Elles sont comme un art de la nature dont les règles sont infaillibles; et l'homme le plus simple qui a de la passion persuade mieux que le plus éloquent qui n'en a point.
The passions are the only orators who always persuade. They are a kind of natural art with infallible rules; and the simplest man who has passion persuades better than the most eloquent man who lacks it.
[ChatGPT3.5: "Passions are the only speakers who always persuade. They are like an art of nature with infallible rules, and the simplest person with passion persuades better than the most eloquent person without any."]
#9
Les passions ont une injustice et un propre intérêt qui fait qu'il est dangereux de les suivre, et qu'on s'en doit défier lors même qu'elles paraissent les plus raisonnables.
The passions possess an unjust and selfish quality that makes them dangerous to follow. We should learn to distrust them even when they appear most reasonable.
[ChatGPT3.5: "Passions have an injustice and a self-interest that makes it dangerous to follow them, and one should be wary of them even when they appear the most reasonable."]
["When a man finds himself led, though by a train of honest sentiments, to wish for that to which he has no right, he should start back as from a pitfall covered with flowers." -- Samuel Johnson]
#10
Il y a dans le coeur humain une génération perpétuelle de passions, en sorte que la ruine de l'une est presque toujours l'établissement d'une autre.
In the human heart there is a never-ending generation of passions, in which the ruin of one almost always brings the erection of another.
[ChatGPT3.5: "In the human heart, there is a perpetual generation of passions, so that the downfall of one is almost always the establishment of another."]
#11
Les passions en engendrent souvent qui leur sont contraires. L'avarice produit quelquefois la prodigalité, et la prodigalité l'avarice; on est souvent ferme par faiblesse, et audacieux par timidité.
Passions often generate their own contraries. At times, avarice producces prodigality, and prodigality, avarice. We are often made stubborn by virtue of our weakness, and bold by our timidity.
[ChatGPT3.5: "Passions often give birth to their opposites. Avarice sometimes produces prodigality, and prodigality gives birth to avarice. One is often firm due to weakness and bold due to timidity."]
#12
Quelque soin que l'on prenne de couvrir ses passions par des apparences de piété et d'honneur, elles paraissent toujours au travers de ces voiles.
However much care we take to cover our passions with the appearance of piety and honor, they always show through the veils.
[ChatGPT 3.5: "No matter how much care one takes to conceal their passions with the appearance of piety and honor, they always show through these veils."]
#13
Notre amour-propre souffre plus impatiemment la condamnation de nos goûts que de nos opinions.
Our self-love endures more impatiently the censure of our tastes than of our opinions.
[ChatGPT3.5: "Our self-love suffers more impatiently from the condemnation of our tastes than from that of our opinions."]
#14
Les hommes ne sont pas seulement sujets à perdre le souvenir des bienfaits et des injures; ils haïssent même ceux qui les ont obligés, et cessent de haïr ceux qui leur ont fait des outrages. L'application à récompenser le bien, et à se venger du mal, leur paraît une servitude à laquelle ils ont peine de se soumettre.
People are not only prone to forget benefits and injuries: they even hate those to whom they are indebted, and cease to hate those who have outraged them. Recompensing a benefit or avenging an injury seems a servitude to which they seem unwilling to submit.
[ChatGPT3.5: "Men are not only prone to forget favors and injuries, they even hate those who have obliged them and stop hating those who have wronged them. The effort to reward good and take revenge on evil appears to them as a servitude to which they find it difficult to submit."]
["There are minds so impatient of inferiority that their gratitude is a species of revenge, and they return benefits, not because recompense is a pleasure, but because obligation is a pain." -- Samuel Johnson]
#15
La clémence des princes n'est souvent qu'une politique pour gagner l'affection des peuples.
The clemency of princes is often only a technique for winning the people's affection.
[ChatGPT3.5: "The clemency of princes is often just a political strategy to win the affection of the people."]
#16
Cette clémence dont on fait une vertu se pratique tantôt par vanité, quelquefois par paresse, souvent par crainte, et presque toujours par tous les trois ensemble.
This clemency, which we deem such a virtue, at times arises from vanity, sometimes from laziness, often from fear, and almost always from all three together.
[ChatGPT3.5: This clemency, which is considered a virtue, is practiced sometimes out of vanity, at times out of laziness, often out of fear, and almost always out of all three combined]
#17
La modération des personnes heureuses vient du calme que la bonne fortune donne à leur humeur.
The quality of moderation possessed by happy people comes from the calm that good fortune bestows upon their temperament.
[ChatGPT3.5:
The moderation of happy individuals stems from the tranquility that good fortune bestows upon their disposition.]
#18
La modération est une crainte de tomber dans l'envie et dans le mépris que méritent ceux qui s'enivrent de leur bonheur; c'est une vaine ostentation de la force de notre esprit; et enfin la modération des hommes dans leur plus haute élévation est un désir de paraître plus grands que leur fortune.
The quality of moderation is a fear of exciting the envy and contempt which are due to those people who become intoxicated with their own good fortune. It is a vain showing off of our spirit; and in the end, the moderation of men at their height of achievement is a desire to appear greater than their fortune.
[ChatGPT3.5: Moderation is a fear of succumbing to envy and disdain, which those who revel in their happiness rightly deserve. It is a vain display of the strength of our mind, and ultimately, the moderation of individuals in their most elevated state is a desire to appear greater than their fortune allows.]
#19
Nous avons tous assez de force pour supporter les maux d'autrui.
We all have enough strength to endure the misfortunes of other people.
[ChatGPT3.5:We all have enough strength to bear the misfortunes of others.]
#20
La constance des sages n'est que l'art de renfermer leur agitation dans le coeur.
The constancy of wise people is only the art of concealing the agitation in their hearts.
[ChatGPT3.5: The constancy of the wise is nothing but the art of containing their turmoil within their heart.]
#21
Ceux qu'on condamne au supplice affectent quelquefois une constance et un mépris de la mort qui n'est en effet que la crainte de l'envisager. De sorte qu'on peut dire que cette constance et ce mépris sont à leur esprit ce que le bandeau est à leurs yeux.
Those who are condemned to anguish sometimes affect a constancy and a conempt for death which are in reality only effects of their fear of facing it. One might say that this constancy and contempt serves for for the spirit what the bandage serves for their eyes.
[ChatGPT3.5:
Those condemned to torment sometimes feign constancy and a disregard for death, which, in truth, is nothing but the fear of facing it. So, one could say that this constancy and indifference are to their mind what a blindfold is to their eyes.]
#22
La philosophie triomphe aisément des maux passés et des maux à venir. Mais les maux présents triomphent d'elle.
Philosophy easily triumphs over past and future evils, but present evils triumph over philosophy.
[ChatGPT3.5: Philosophy easily triumphs over past and future woes. However, present afflictions triumph over it.
#23
Peu de gens connaissent la mort. On ne la souffre pas ordinairement par résolution, mais par stupidité et par coutume; et la plupart des hommes meurent parce qu'on ne peut s'empêcher de mourir.
Few people understand death. We usually do not suffer death by choice, but rather by stupidity and custom; and most people die because they do not know how to keep from dying.
[ChatGPT3.5: Few people truly understand death. It is not usually endured through determination, but rather through ignorance and habit; and most men die because they cannot avoid dying.]
#24
Lorsque les grands hommes se laissent abattre par la longueur de leurs infortunes, ils font voir qu'ils ne les soutenaient que par la force de leur ambition, et non par celle de leur âme, et qu'à une grande vanité près les héros sont faits comme les autres hommes.
When great men allow themselves to become dejected by the continuation of their misfortunes, they make it apparent that they were only sustained by the forces of their ambition, and not by their souls, and that except for a great vanity, heros are made like all other people.
[ChatGPT3.5: When great men allow themselves to be overcome by the length of their misfortunes, they reveal that they endured them solely through the strength of their ambition, not the strength of their soul. They show that, except for a great vanity, heroes are made just like ordinary men.]
#25
Il faut de plus grandes vertus pour soutenir la bonne fortune que la mauvaise.
It takes greater virtues to sustain good fortune than bad fortune.
[ChatGPT3.5: It takes greater virtues to sustain good fortune than to endure misfortune.]
#26
Le soleil ni la mort ne se peuvent regarder fixement.
Neither the sun nor death can be looked at steadily.
[ChatGPT3.5: Neither the sun nor death can be stared at directly.]
#27
On fait souvent vanité des passions même les plus criminelles; mais l'envie est une passion timide et honteuse que l'on n'ose jamais avouer.
We often boast of our passions, even the most criminal ones; but envy is such a timid and shameful passion that we never dare to admit it.
[ChatGPT3.5: People often take pride in their passions, even the most criminal ones; but envy is a timid and shameful passion that one never dares to admit.]
["CONGRATULATION: the civility of envy." -- Ambrose Bierce]
#28
La jalousie est en quelque manière juste et raisonnable, puisqu'elle ne tend qu'à conserver un bien qui nous appartient, ou que nous croyons nous appartenir; au lieu que l'envie est une fureur qui ne peut souffrir le bien des autres.
Jealousy is in some measure just and reasonable, since it wants to keep possession of a good that we own, or that we believe we own, as opposed to envy, which is a fury that cannot stand the good fortune of others.
[ChatGPT3.5: Jealousy is in some way just and reasonable, since it only aims to preserve a good that belongs to us or that we believe belongs to us; whereas envy is a fury that cannot tolerate the good of others.]
#29
Le mal que nous faisons ne nous attire pas tant de persécution et de haine que nos bonnes qualités.
The evil that we do elicits less persecution and wrath than our good qualities.
[ChatGPT3.5: The evil we do does not attract us as much persecution and hatred as our good qualities./
#30
Nous avons plus de force que de volonté; et c'est souvent pour nous excuser à nous-mêmes que nous nous imaginons que les choses sont impossibles.
We have more strength than will; and we often make excuses for ourselves by imagining that things are impossible.
[ChatGPT3.5: We have more strength than willpower; and it is often to excuse ourselves that we imagine things to be impossible.]
[“We do not know enough about the unknown to know that it is unknowable” -- G.K. Chesterton]
#31
Si nous n'avions point de défauts, nous ne prendrions pas tant de plaisir à en remarquer dans les autres.
If we had no faults we should not take so much pleasure in pointing out the faults of others.
[ChatGPT3.5: If we had no faults, we would not take so much pleasure in noticing them in others.]
#32
La jalousie se nourrit dans les doutes, et elle devient fureur, ou elle finit, sitôt qu'on passe du doute à la certitude.
Jealousy feeds on doubts; and it either grows furious or ceases when we pass from doubt to certitude.
[ChatGPT3.5: Jealousy feeds on doubts, and it turns into fury, or it ends as soon as one moves from doubt to certainty.]
#33
L'orgueil se dédommage toujours et ne perd rien lors même qu'il renonce à la vanité.
Pride always recompenses itself, and loses nothing when it renounces vanity.
[ChatGPT3.5: Pride always compensates itself and loses nothing even when it renounces vanity.]
#34
Si nous n'avions point d'orgueil, nous ne nous plaindrions pas de celui des autres.
If we had no pride, we would not complain of the pride of others.
[ChatGPT3.5: If we had no pride, we would not complain about that of others.]
#35
L'orgueil est égal dans tous les hommes, et il n'y a de différence qu'aux moyens et à la manière de le mettre au jour.
Pride is the same in all people, and the only difference is their means and manners of showing it.
[ChatGPT3.5: Pride is equal in all men, and the only difference lies in the means and manner of displaying it.]
#36
Il semble que la nature, qui a si sagement disposé les organes de notre corps pour nous rendre heureux, nous ait aussi donné l'orgueil pour nous épargner la douleur de connaître nos imperfections.
It seems that Nature, which has so wisely arranged the organs of our body for making us happy, has also given us pride to spare us the unhappinessw of knowing our imperfections.
[ChatGPT3.5: It seems that nature, which has so wisely arranged the organs of our body to make us happy, has also given us pride to spare us the pain of knowing our imperfections.]
#37
L'orgueil a plus de part que la bonté aux remonstrances que nous faisons à ceux qui commettent des fautes; et nous ne les reprenons pas tant pour les en corriger que pour leur persuader que nous en sommes exempts.
We criticize the faults of others more out of pride than goodness; and we criticize them not so much to correct them as to persuade them that we are free from their faults.
[ChatGPT3.5: Pride plays a larger role than kindness in the admonitions we address to those who make mistakes; and we reprimand them not so much to correct them as to persuade them that we are exempt from them.]
#38
Nous promettons selon nos espérances, et nous tenons selon nos craintes.
We make promises according to our hopes, and we keep them according to our fears.
[ChatGPT3.5: We promise according to our hopes, and we follow through according to our fears.]
["Don't let your mouth write no check that your tail can't cash." -- Bo Diddley]
#39
L'intérêt parle toutes sortes de langues, et joue toutes sortes de personnages, même celui de désintéressé.
Self-interest speaks all sorts of languages and plays all sorts of roles, including that of disinterestedness.
[ChatGPT3.5: Self-interest speaks all sorts of languages and plays all sorts of roles, even that of being selfless.]
#40
L'intérêt, qui aveugle les uns, fait la lumière des autres.
Self-interest blinds some and enlightens others.
[ChatGPT3.5: Self-interest, which blinds some, sheds light for others.]
#41
Ceux qui s'appliquent trop aux petites choses deviennent ordinairement incapables des grandes.
Those who concern themselves overmuch with little matters usually become incapable of dealing with large ones.
[ChatGPT3.5: Those who focus too much on small things usually become incapable of achieving great ones.]
["Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably will not themselves be realized." — Daniel Burnham]
#42
Nous n'avons pas assez de force pour suivre toute notre raison.
We do not have enough strength to follow all the implications of our reasoning.
[ChatGPT3.5: We do not have enough strength to follow all of our reason.]
[“A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.” — Martin H. Fischer]
#43
L'homme croit souvent se conduire lorsqu'il est conduit; et pendant que par son esprit il tend à un but, son coeur l'entraîne insensiblement à un autre.
People believe themselve to be leading when in fact they are being led; and while their minds direct them towards one goal, their hearts tug them insensibly toward another.
[ChatGPT3.5: Man often believes he is guiding himself when he is being guided; and while his mind aims for one goal, his heart imperceptibly pulls him toward another.]
#44
La force et la faiblesse de l'esprit sont mal nommées; elles ne sont en effet que la bonne ou la mauvaise disposition des organes du corps.
Strength and weakness of will are poorly named; they are in reality the happy or unhappy disposition of bodily organs.
[ChatGPT3.5: The strength and weakness of the mind are poorly named; they are, in fact, merely the good or bad arrangement of the body's organs.]
#45
Le caprice de notre humeur est encore plus bizarre que celui de la fortune.
The capriciousness of our temperament is even stranger than the whims of fortune.
[ChatGPT3.5: The whim of our mood is even more bizarre than that of fortune.]
#46
L'attachement ou l'indifférence que les philosophes avaient pour la vie n'était qu'un goût de leur amour-propre, dont on ne doit non plus disputer que du goût de la langue ou du choix des couleurs.
The attachment or indifference that philosophers show for life is only the style of their own self-love, about which we can dispute no more than we can the tastes of the palette or preferences for certain colors.
[ChatGPT3.5: The attachment or indifference that philosophers had towards life was merely a matter of their self-love, which should be no more debated than matters of taste in language or the selection of colors.]
#47
Notre humeur met le prix à tout ce qui nous vient de la fortune.
Our character determines the value of everything that fortune bestows upon us.
[ChatGPT3.5: Our mood assigns value to everything that comes to us from fortune.]
#48
La félicité est dans le goût et non pas dans les choses; et c'est par avoir ce qu'on aime qu'on est heureux, et non par avoir ce que les autres trouvent aimable.
Happiness lies in our taste and not in things; we are happy when we posess the things that we like, not what others find likable.
[ChatGPT3.5: Happiness lies in taste, not in things; and it is by having what we love that we are happy, not by having what others find pleasing.]
#49
On n'est jamais si heureux ni si malheureux qu'on s'imagine.
We are never as happy nor as unhappy as we imagine.
[ChatGPT3.5: One is never as happy or as unhappy as one imagines.]
#50
Ceux qui croient avoir du mérite se font un honneur d'être malheureux, pour persuader aux autres et à eux-mêmes qu'ils sont dignes d'être en butte à la fortune.
Those who believe that they possess merit persuade themselves that they are honored by being unhappy, in order to convince others and themselves that they are worthy of being the victims of fate.
[ChatGPT3.5: Those who believe they have merit take pride in being unhappy, to convince both others and themselves that they are worthy of being targeted by fortune.]
["There are people who manage to unite worldly advantage with the moral cachet of victimhood." -- Karl Kraus]
#51
Rien ne doit tant diminuer la satisfaction que nous avons de nous-mêmes, que de voir que nous désapprouvons dans un temps ce que nous approuvions dans un autre.
Nothing should lessen our self-satisfaction more than the realization that we disapprove at one time of that which we approve at another.
[ChatGPT3.5: Nothing should diminish our self-satisfaction as much as observing that we disapprove in one time what we approved in another.]
#52
Quelque différence qui paraisse entre les fortunes, il y a néanmoins une certaine compensation de biens et de maux qui les rend égales.
Whatever difference might appear in our fortunes, there is nevertheless a certain balance of good and ill that makes them equal.
[ChatGPT3.5: Whatever difference may appear between fortunes, nevertheless, there is a certain balancing of goods and ills that makes them equal.]
#53
Quelques grands avantages que la nature donne, ce n'est pas elle seule, mais la fortune avec elle qui fait les héros.
Whatever great advanrtages that nature might provide, is it not she alone, but fortune also that makes heros.
[ChatGPT3.5: No matter the great advantages that nature bestows, it is not nature alone, but fortune alongside it that makes heroes.]
#54
Le mépris des richesses était dans les philosophes un désir caché de venger leur mérite de l'injustice de la fortune par le mépris des mêmes biens dont elle les privait; c'était un secret pour se garantir de l'avilissement de la pauvreté; c'était un chemin détourné pour aller à la considération qu'ils ne pouvaient avoir par les richesses.
Philosophers' contempt for riches was a hidden desire for revenge of their merit upon the injustice of Fortune by scorning those goods which she had deprived them of; it was a private method of guarding themselves against the disgrace of poverty, a devious road to arrive at the distinction which they could not procure by riches.
[ChatGPT3.5: The disdain for wealth was, in the philosophers, a hidden desire to avenge their merit from the injustice of fortune through the contempt for the same goods from which it deprived them; it was a secret to shield themselves from the degradation of poverty; it was a circuitous path to attain the esteem they could not have through riches.]
#55
La haine pour les favoris n'est autre chose que l'amour de la faveur. Le dépit de ne la pas posséder se console et s'adoucit par le mépris que l'on témoigne de ceux qui la possèdent; et nous leur refusons nos hommages, ne pouvant pas leur ôter ce qui leur attire ceux de tout le monde.
Hatred of favored people is nothing else than a love of favor. The resentment of not possessing favor is consoled and softened by showing contempt for those who do possess it, and we refuse to honor them because we cannot depive them of what attracts everyone else.
[ChatGPT3.5: The hatred for favorites is nothing other than the love of favor. The frustration of not possessing it is comforted and softened by the contempt we show towards those who possess it; and we withhold our tributes from them, unable to take away what draws the admiration of everyone to them.]
#56
Pour s'établir dans le monde, on fait tout ce que l'on peut pour y paraître établi.
In order to succeed in the world, we have to do all we can to appear successful.
[ChatGPT3.5: In order to establish oneself in the world, one does everything possible to appear established in it.]
[“People are deceived by the false resemblances of success to merit.” -- Victor Hugo]
#57
Quoique les hommes se flattent de leurs grandes actions, elles ne sont pas souvent les effets d'un grand dessein, mais des effets du hasard.
However men pride themselves on their great acomplishments, such acts are often not the result of design, but of pure chance.
[ChatGPT3.5: Although men may boast of their great actions, they are not often the results of a grand design, but rather the effects of chance.]
#58
Il semble que nos actions aient des étoiles heureuses ou malheureuses à qui elles doivent une grande partie de la louange et du blâme qu'on leur donne.
It seems as though our acts have lucky or unlucky stars from which our deeds derive a great deal of the praise or blame they are accorded.
[ChatGPT3.5: It seems that our actions have fortunate or unfortunate stars to which they owe a great part of the praise and blame attributed to them.]
#59
Il n'y a point d'accidents si malheureux dont les habiles gens ne tirent quelque avantage, ni de si heureux que les imprudents ne puissent tourner à leur préjudice.
There is no misfortune so terrible that clever people cannot profit from, nor fortune so good that foolish people cannot harm themselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are no accidents so unfortunate that clever people cannot derive some advantage from them, nor so fortunate that the imprudent cannot turn them to their disadvantage.]
[ "The wind and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators." -- Edward Gibbon]
#60
La fortune tourne tout à l'avantage de ceux qu'elle favorise.
Fortune turns everything to the advantage of those she favors.
[ChatGPT3.5: Fortune turns everything to the advantage of those she favors.]
#61
Le bonheur et le malheur des hommes ne dépend pas moins de leur humeur que de la fortune.
People's happiness and misery both depend on their dispositions no less than on their fortunes.
[ChatGPT3.5: The happiness and misfortune of men depend no less on their disposition than on fortune.]
#62
La sincérité est une ouverture de coeur. On la trouve en fort peu de gens; et celle que l'on voit d'ordinaire n'est qu'une fine dissimulation pour attirer la confiance des autres.
Sincerity is openness of heart, and we find it in very few people. What we usually see is nothing more than an artful trickery designed to gain the confidence of others.
[ChatGPT3.5: Sincerity is an openness of the heart. It is found in very few people; and what is commonly seen is merely a subtle pretense to gain the trust of others.]
#63
L'aversion du mensonge est souvent une imperceptible ambition de rendre nos témoignages considérables, et d'attirer a nos paroles un respect de religion.
The adversion to lying is often a hidden ambition to render our remarks authoritative, and to attach righteousness to our words.
[ChatGPT3.5: The aversion to lying is often an imperceptible ambition to make our testimonies significant and to attract to our words a reverence akin to religion.]
#64
La vérité ne fait pas tant de bien dans le monde que ses apparences y font de mal.
Truth does less good in the world than the appearance of truth does evil.
[ChatGPT3.5: The truth does not do as much good in the world as its appearances do harm.]
#65
Il n'y a point d'éloges qu'on ne donne à la prudence. Cependant elle ne saurait nous assurer du moindre événement.
We lavish all praise on Prudence; yet Prudence cannot guarantee us anything.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are no praises that are not given to prudence. However, it cannot assure us of the slightest event.]
[“The power of fortune is confessed only by the miserable, for the happy impute all their success to prudence or merit.” — Jonathan Swift]
#66
Un habile homme doit régler le rang de ses intérêts et les conduire chacun dans son ordre. Notre avidité le trouble souvent en nous faisant courir à tant de choses à la fois que, pour désirer trop les moins importantes, on manque les plus considérables.
A clever man must regulate his interests and carry them out in their proper order. Our greed so often afflicts us that, as we run after so many things at the same time, we often miss the greater things as we pursue the trivial.
[ChatGPT3.5: A clever man must arrange the order of his interests and guide each one in its proper sequence. Our greed often disrupts this by making us chase so many things at once that, in desiring the less important too much, we miss the more significant ones.]
#67
La bonne grâce est au corps ce que le bon sens est à l'esprit.
Gracefulness is to the body what good sense is to the mind.
[ChatGPT3.5: Good grace is to the body what good sense is to the mind.]
#68
Il est difficile de définir l'amour. Ce qu'on en peut dire est que dans l'âme c'est une passion de régner, dans les esprits c'est une sympathie, et dans le corps ce n'est qu'une envie cachée et délicate de posséder ce que l'on aime après beaucoup de mystères.
It is difficult to define love. All we can say is that in the soul it is a passion to rule, in the mind it is a sympathy, and in the body it is only a hidden and sensitive desire to possess what one loves after many mysterious rites.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is difficult to define love. What can be said of it is that in the soul it is a passion to rule, in the minds it is a sympathy, and in the body it is nothing but a hidden and delicate desire to possess what one loves after many mysteries.]
#69
S'il y a un amour pur et exempt du mélange de nos autres passions, c'est celui qui est caché au fond du coeur, et que nous ignorons nous-mêmes.
If pure love does exist, exempt from the mixture of our other passions, it is hidden in the deep recesses of our heart, and we ourselves are ignorant of its existence.
[ChatGPT3.5: If there is a love that is pure and free from the mixture of our other passions, it is the one that is hidden deep within the heart, and which we ourselves are unaware of.]
#70
Il n'y a point de déguisement qui puisse longtemps cacher l'amour où il est, ni le feindre où il n'est pas.
No disguise can hide love for long where it exists, nor feign it where it does not.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is no disguise that can long conceal love where it exists, nor can it be feigned where it does not.]
#71
Il n'y a guère de gens qui ne soient honteux de s'être aimés quand ils ne s'aiment plus.
Few men are not ashamed to be loved when they themselves have ceased to love.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are few people who are not ashamed of having loved each other when they no longer love.]
#72
Si on juge de l'amour par la plupart de ses effets, il ressemble plus a la haine qu'à l'amitié.
If we judge love by most of its effects, it resembles hatred more than friendship.
[ChatGPT3.5: If one judges love by most of its effects, it resembles hatred more than friendship.]
#73
On peut trouver des femmes qui n'ont jamais eu de galanterie; mais il est rare d'en trouver qui n'en aient jamais eu qu'une.
There are a few women who have never had an affair; but it is rare to find women who have had only one.
[ChatGPT3.5: One can find women who have never experienced gallantry, but it is rare to find those who have only experienced it once.]
#74
Il n'y a que d'une sorte d'amour, mais il y en a mille différentes copies.
There is only one kind of love, but a thousand copies.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is only one kind of love, but there are a thousand different copies of it.]
#75
L'amour aussi bien que le feu ne peut subsister sans un mouvement continuel; et il cesse de vivre dès qu'il cesse d'espérer ou de craindre.
Love, like fire, can only subsist by perpetual movement; when it ceases to hope or fear, it ceases to exist.
[ChatGPT3.5: Love, just like fire, cannot exist without constant movement; and it ceases to live as soon as it stops hoping or fearing.]
#76
Il est du véritable amour comme de l'apparition des esprits tout le monde en parle, mais peu de gens en ont vu.
True love is like a ghost: everyone talks about it, but few have ever seen it.
[ChatGPT3.5: True love is like a ghost: everyone speaks of it, but few have ever witnessed it.]
#77
L'amour prête son nom à un nombre infini de commerces qu'on lui attribue, et où il n'a non plus de part que le Doge à ce qui se fait à Venise.
Love lends its name to an infinite number of transactions which are attributed to it, but with which it has no more real connection than the Doge has with what goes on in Venice.
[ChatGPT3.5: Love lends its name to an infinite number of businesses that are attributed to it, in which it has no more part than the Doge has in what takes place in Venice.]
#78
L'amour de la justice n'est en la plupart des hommes que la crainte de souffrir l'injustice.
For most people, love of justice is only a fear of suffering injustice.
[ChatGPT3.5: The love of justice in most men is nothing more than the fear of suffering injustice.]
#79
Le silence est le parti le plus sûr de celui qui se défie de soi-même.
Silence is the best policy for those who are unsure of themselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: Silence is the safest choice for someone who distrusts oneself.]
#80
Ce qui nous rend si changeants dans nos amitiés, c'est qu'il est difficile de connaître les qualités de l'âme, et facile de connaître celles de l'esprit.
What makes us so changeable in our friendships is that it is hard to know qualities of the soul but easy to know the qualities of mind.
[ChatGPT3.5: What makes us so fickle in our friendships is that it is difficult to know the qualities of the soul, and easy to know those of the mind.]
#81
Nous ne pouvons rien aimer que par rapport à nous, et nous ne faisons que suivre notre goût et notre plaisir quand nous préférons nos amis à nous- mêmes; c'est néanmoins par cette préférence seule que l'amitié peut être vraie et parfaite.
We can love nothing that does not harmonize with us, and we are only following our taste and pleasure when we choose our friends for ourselves. Nevertheless, it is only through this preference that friendship can be true and perfect.
[ChatGPT3.5: We can only love anything in relation to ourselves, and we are merely following our taste and pleasure when we prefer our friends to ourselves; nevertheless, it is through this preference alone that friendship can be true and perfect.]
#82
La réconciliation avec nos ennemis n'est qu'un désir de rendre notre condition meilleure, une lassitude de la guerre, et une crainte de quelque mauvais événement.
Reconciliation with our enemies is only a desire to better our situation, a fatigue with combat, or a fear of some bad turn of events.
[ChatGPT3.5: Reconciliation with our enemies is nothing more than a desire to improve our situation, a weariness of war, and a fear of some adverse event.]
#83
Ce que les hommes ont nommé amitié n'est qu'une société, qu'un ménagement réciproque d'intérêts, et qu'un échange de bons offices; ce n'est enfin qu'un commerce où l'amour-propre se propose toujours quelque chose à gagner.
What people call friendship is only a partnership, a mixture of reciprocal interests, and an exchange of favors. In the end, it is only a business in which self-love always expects to gain something.
[ChatGPT3.5: What men have called friendship is nothing but a society, a reciprocal management of interests, and an exchange of favors; it is ultimately just a transaction where self-love always aims to gain something.]
[“Friendship: A ship big enough for two in fair weather, but only one in foul.” -- Ambrose Bierce]
#84
Il est plus honteux de se défier de ses amis que d'en être trompé.
It is more shameful to distrust our frinds than to be deceived by them.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is more shameful to distrust one's friends than to be deceived by them.;
#85
Nous nous persuadons souvent d'aimer les gens plus puissants que nous; et néanmoins c'est l'intérêt seul qui produit notre amitié. Nous ne nous donnons pas à eux pour le bien que nous leur voulons faire, mais pour celui que nous en voulons recevoir.
We often persuade ourselves to like people more powerful than we are; nevertheless, it is interest alone that produces the friendly feeling. We do not give them our affection for the good we wish to do for them, but for the good we wish to receive from them.
[ChatGPT3.5: We often convince ourselves that we love people more powerful than us; however, it is solely self-interest that generates our friendship. We don't give ourselves to them for the good we want to do for them, but for the good we want to receive from them.]
#86
Notre défiance justifie la tromperie d'autrui.
Distrust on our part justifies deceit in others.
[ChatGPT3.5: Our distrust justifies the deception of others.]
#87
Les hommes ne vivraient pas longtemps en société s'ils n'étaient les dupes les uns des autres.
Men would not live long in society if they did not dupe each other.
[ChatGPT3.5: Men would not live long in society if they were not each other's dupes.]
#88
L'amour-propre nous augmente ou nous diminue les bonnes qualités de nos amis à proportion de la satisfaction que nous avons d'eux; et nous jugeons de leur mérite par la manière dont ils vivent avec nous.
Self-love heightens or dimishes the good characteristics of our friends in proportion to the satisfaction they give us, and we judge their merit by the manner in which they behave with us.
[ChatGPT3.5: Self-love increases or diminishes the good qualities of our friends in proportion to the satisfaction we derive from them; and we judge their worth based on how they interact with us.]
#89
Tout le monde se plaint de sa mémoire, et personne ne se plaint de son jugement.
Everybody complains of their memory, but nobody complains of their judgement.
[ChatGPT3.5: Everyone complains about their memory, and no one complains about their judgment.]
#90
Nous plaisons plus souvent dans le commerce de la vie par nos défauts que par nos bonnes qualités.
In social intercourse, we more often please by our faults than by our good qualities.
[ChatGPT3.5: We often please more in the commerce of life with our faults than with our good qualities.]
["No man is more dangerous than he that with a will to corrupt, hath the power to please." -- Samuel Johnson (speaking of Shakespeare's Fallstaff)]
#91
La plus grande ambition n'en a pas la moindre apparence lorsqu'elle se rencontre dans une impossibilité absolue d'arriver où elle aspire.
The greatest ambition seems least so when it encounters an absolute impossibility of being realized.
[ChatGPT3.5: The greatest ambition has no semblance whatsoever when it encounters an absolute impossibility of reaching where it aspires.]
#92
Détromper un homme préoccupé de son mérite est lui rendre un aussi mauvais office que celui que l'on rendit à ce fou d'Athènes, qui croyait que tous les vaisseaux qui arrivaient dans le port étaient à lui.
To undeceive a man infatuated with his own merit is as unkind an act as that done to that madman of Athens, who believed that all the ships coming into port belonged to him.
[ChatGPT3.5: To disillusion a man preoccupied with his own merit is to do him as ill a turn as was done to that madman in Athens, who believed that all the ships arriving in the harbor were his own.]
#93
Les vieillards aiment à donner de bons préceptes, pour se consoler de n'être plus en état de donner de mauvais exemples.
Old people love to give advice because it consoles them for no longer being able to set bad examples.
[ChatGPT3.5: Elderly individuals enjoy offering good precepts, to console themselves for no longer being capable of setting bad examples.]
["Every old man complains of the growing depravity of the world.” -- Samuel Johnson]
#94
Les grands noms abaissent, au lieu d'élever, ceux qui ne les savent pas soutenir.
Great names debase rather than elevate those who do not know how to live up to them.
[ChatGPT3.5: Great names lower, instead of uplift, those who don't know how to support them.]
#95
La marque d'un mérite extraordinaire est de voir que ceux qui l'envient le plus sont contraints de le louer.
The mark of extraordinary merit is to see that those people who envy it are the very people most obliged to praise it.
[ChatGPT3.5: The mark of extraordinary merit is to see that those who envy it the most are compelled to praise it.]
#96
Tel homme est ingrat, qui est moins coupable de son ingratitude que celui qui lui fait du bien.
Sometimes people who are ungrateful are less at fault than their benefactors.
[ChatGPT3.5: That person is ungrateful who is less guilty of their ingratitude than the one who does them good.]
#97
On s'est trompé lorsqu'on a cru que l'esprit et le jugement étaient deux choses différentes. Le jugement n'est que la grandeur de la lumière de l'esprit; cette lumière pénètre le fond des choses; elle y remarque tout ce qu'il faut remarquer et aperçoit celles qui semblent imperceptibles. Ainsi il faut demeurer d'accord que c'est l'étendue de la lumière de l'esprit qui produit tous les effets qu'on attribue au jugement.
We are deceived if we believe that mind and judgment are two different things. Judgment is only the great light of the mind; this light penetrates to the essence of things, takes in everything worth taking in and perceiving things that seem imperceptible. Therefore we must agree that it is the extent of the light of the mind that produces all the effects we attribute to judgment.
[ChatGPT3.5: We were mistaken when we believed that the mind and judgment were two different things. Judgment is merely the magnitude of the light of the mind; this light penetrates to the depth of things; it notices everything that needs to be noticed there and perceives those that seem imperceptible. Thus, we must agree that it is the extent of the light of the mind that produces all the effects attributed to judgment.]
#98
Chacun dit du bien de son coeur, et personne n'en ose dire de son esprit.
All people speak well of their heart, and no people dare speak well of their mind.
[ChatGPT3.5: Everyone speaks kindly of their heart, and no one dares to speak kindly of their mind.]
#99
La politesse de l'esprit consiste à penser des choses honnêtes et délicates.
Graciousness consists of thinking kind and refined thoughts.
[ChatGPT3.5: The politeness of the mind consists of thinking about honest and delicate things.]
#100
La galanterie de l'esprit est de dire des choses flatteuses d'une manière agréable.
The spirit of gallantry means saying flattering things in an agreeable manner.
[ChatGPT3.5: The gallantry of the mind is to speak flattering things in a pleasant manner.]
#101
Il arrive souvent que des choses se présentent plus achevées à notre esprit qu'il ne les pourrait faire avec beaucoup d'art.
Often things come to us all at once in a more complete form than we might have made them after much effort.
[ChatGPT3.5: Frequently, situations arise where objects seem more perfected within our minds than they could be accomplished through extensive skill.]
#102
L'esprit est toujours la dupe du coeur.
The head is always fooled by the heart.
[ChatGPT3.5: The mind is always the dupe of the heart.]
#103
Tous ceux qui connaissent leur esprit ne connaissent pas leur coeur.
Those who know their own minds do not know their own hearts.
[ChatGPT3.5: Not all those who know their mind know their heart.]
#104
Les hommes et les affaires ont leur point de perspective. Il y en a qu'il faut voir de près pour en bien juger, et d'autres dont on ne juge jamais si bien que quand on en est éloigné.
Both men and events have their own proper point of perspective. Some need to be seen close up to be judged rightly, while others must be seen from a distance.
[ChatGPT3.5: Men and affairs have their point of perspective. Some must be seen up close to judge them well, and others are never judged as accurately as when one is distant from them.]
#105
Celui-là n'est pas raisonnable à qui le hasard fait trouver la raison, mais celui qui la connaît, qui la discerne, et qui la goûte.
Those people are not reasonable who stumble upon reason by chance, but those who discern it, understand it, and develop a taste for it.
[ChatGPT3.5: He is not reasonable to whom chance makes reason apparent, but the one who knows it, discerns it, and savors it.]
#106
Pour bien savoir les choses, il en faut savoir le détail; et comme il est presque infini, nos connaissances sont toujours superficielles et imparfaites.
In order really to know things, we have to know them in detail; and since detail is almost infinite, our understanding is always superficial and imperfect.
[ChatGPT3.5: To know things well, one must know their details; and as these are almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.]
#107
C'est une espèce de coquetterie de faire remarquer qu'on n'en fait jamais.
To remark that we never flirt is itself a kind of flirtation.
[ChatGPT3.5: It's a kind of coquetry to point out that one never does it.]
#108
L'esprit ne saurait jouer longtemps le personnage du coeur.
The mind cannot impersonate the heart for very long.
[ChatGPT3.5: The mind cannot play the role of the heart for long.]
#109
La jeunesse change ses goûts par l'ardeur du sang, et la vieillesse conserve les siens par l'accoutumance.
Youth changes its tastes by the ardor of its temperament; old age retains its taste by force of habit.
[ChatGPT3.5: Youth changes its tastes through the heat of the blood, and old age preserves its own through habit.]
#110
On ne donne rien si libéralement que ses conseils.
We give nothing so freely as advice.
[ChatGPT3.5: Nothing is given as freely as one's advice.]
#111
Plus on aime une maîtresse, et plus on est près de la haïr.
The more one loves a mistress, the closer one is to hating her.
[ChatGPT3.5: The more one loves a mistress, the closer one is to hating her.]
#112
Les défauts de l'esprit augmentent en vieillissant comme ceux du visage.
The flaws of the mind, like the flaws of the face, increase with age.
[ChatGPT3.5: The flaws of the mind increase with age, just like those of the face./
["At 50, everyone has the face he deserves." -- George Orwell]
#113
Il y a de bons mariages, mais il n'y en a point de délicieux.
There are good marriages, but there are no delightful ones.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are good marriages, but there are none that are delicious.]
#114
On ne se peut consoler d'être trompé par ses ennemis, et trahi par ses amis; et l'on est souvent satisfait de l'être par soi-même.
Though we are inconsolable at being deceived by our enemies and betrayed by our friends, we are often content with self-deception.
[ChatGPT3.5: One cannot console oneself for being deceived by one's enemies and betrayed by one's friends; and often, one is content with being deceived by oneself.]
#115
Il est aussi facile de se tromper soi-même sans s'en apercevoir qu'il est difficile de tromper les autres sans qu'ils s'en aperçoivent.
It is as easy to deceive ourselves without our knowing it as it is to deceive others without their knowing it.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is as easy to deceive oneself without realizing it as it is difficult to deceive others without them realizing.]
#116
Rien n'est moins sincère que la manière de demander et de donner des conseils. Celui qui en demande paraît avoir une déférence respectueuse pour les sentiments de son ami, bien qu'il ne pense qu'à lui faire approuver les siens, et à le rendre garant de sa conduite. Et celui qui conseille paye la confiance qu'on lui témoigne d'un zèle ardent et désintéressé, quoiqu'il ne cherche le plus souvent dans les conseils qu'il donne que son propre intérêt ou sa gloire.
Nothing is less sincere than our manner of asking for and dispensing advice. People asking seems to be paying a respectful deference to the sentiments of a friend, even though they are really only getting the friend's approval and making the friend responsible for their actions. The person giving advice repays the confidence with ardent and disinterested zeal, though most often guided only by self-interest or self-glorification.
[ChatGPT3.5: Nothing is less sincere than the way of asking for and giving advice. The one who asks for advice seems to show a respectful deference to the feelings of their friend, even though they only seek to have their own approved and make their friend accountable for their actions. And the one who gives advice repays the trust shown to them with fervent and selfless zeal, although most often they seek in the advice they give only their own interest or glory.]
#117
La plus subtile de toutes les finesses est de savoir bien feindre de tomber dans les pièges que l'on nous tend, et on n'est jamais si aisément trompé que quand on songe à tromper les autres.
The cleverest of all schemes is knowing how to seem to fall into the traps that others have set for us. We are never so easily deceived as when we set out to deceive others.
[ChatGPT3.5: The most subtle of all cleverness is to know how to skillfully pretend to fall into the traps that are set for us, and we are never so easily deceived as when we are thinking of deceiving others.]
[It is sometimes useful to pretend we are deceived, because when we show a cunning man that we see through his artifices, we only encourage him to increase his deceptions. — Madame de Sablé)
#118
L’intention de ne jamais tromper nous expose à être souvent trompés.
The intention never to deceive exposes us to being often deceived.
[ChatGPT3.5: The intention to never deceive exposes us to being deceived often.]
#119
Nous sommes si accoutumés à nous déguiser aux autres qu'enfin nous nous déguisons à nous-mêmes.
We are so accustomed to disguising ourselves that we wind up disguising ourselves from ourselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: We are so accustomed to disguising ourselves to others that in the end, we disguise ourselves to ourselves.]
#120
L’on fait plus souvent des trahisons par faiblesse que par un dessein formé de trahir.
We often betray through weakness rather than by an intent to betray.
[ChatGPT3.5: Betrayals are more often committed out of weakness than from a deliberate intention to betray.]
#121
On fait souvent du bien pour pouvoir impunément faire du mal.
We often do good in order to be free to do ill.
[ChatGPT3.5: We often do good in order to be able to do harm with impunity.]
#122
Si nous résistons à nos passions, c’est plus par leur faiblesse que par notre force.
If we resist our passions, it is more because they are weak than because we are strong.
[ChatGPT3.5: If we resist our passions, it's more due to their weakness than our strength.]
["It is good to be without vices, but it is not good to be without temptations." -- Walter Bagehot]
#123
On n’aurait guère de plaisir si on ne se flattait jamais.
We would never have much pleasure if we never flattered ourselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: We would hardly have any pleasure if we never flattered ourselves.]
#124
Les plus habiles affectent toute leur vie de blâmer les finesses pour s’en servir en quelque grande occasion et pour quelque grand intérêt.
The cleverest people disparage intrigue all their lives so as to make use of it when some great occasion or interest warrants it.
[ChatGPT3.5: The most skillful individuals spend their entire lives criticizing clever tricks in order to use them on a significant occasion and for some major benefit.]
#125
L’usage ordinaire de la finesse est la marque d’un petit esprit, et il arrive presque toujours que celui qui s’en sert pour se couvrir en un endroit, se découvre en un autre.
Habitual recourse to cleverness is the mark of a petty mind, and it usually happens that those who use cunning to cover themselves in one act give themselves away by the same trait in another act.
[ChatGPT3.5: The common use of cunning is a sign of a small mind, and it almost always happens that one who employs it to conceal themselves in one place, reveals themselves in another.]
#126
Les finesses et les trahisons ne viennent que de manque d’habileté.
Cunning and treachery often spring from a lack of real shrewdness.
[ChatGPT3.5: Subtleties and betrayals only stem from a lack of skill.]
#127
Le vrai moyen d’être trompé, c’est de se croire plus fin que les autres.
The surest way to be deceived is to believe oneself subtler than others.
[ChatGPT3.5: The real way to be deceived is to think oneself cleverer than others.]
["The furrier gets the skins of more foxes than asses." -- Italian proverb]
#128
La trop grande subtilité est une fausse délicatesse, et la véritable délicatesse est une solide subtilité.
Too great a subtlety is a false refinement; true refinement is solid subtlety.
[ChatGPT3.5: Excessive subtlety is a false delicacy, and true delicacy is a robust subtlety.]
#129
Il suffit quelquefois d’être grossier pour n’être pas trompé par un habile homme.
Sometimes you only need to be coarse [dense?] in oder not to be deceived by a clever person.
[ChatGPT3.5: Sometimes, it is enough to be rude in order not to be deceived by a clever man.]
#130
La faiblesse est le seul défaut que l’on ne saurait corriger.
Weakness is the only fault that we do not know how to correct.
[ChatGPT3.5: Weakness is the only flaw that cannot be corrected.]
#131
Le moindre défaut des femmes qui se sont abandonnées à faire l’amour, c’est de faire l’amour.
The least fault of women who have abandoned themselves to love-making is the love-making itself.
[ChatGPT3.5: The slightest flaw of women who have surrendered themselves to making love is to make love.]
#132
Il est plus aisé d'être sage pour les autres que de l'être pour soi-même.
It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is easier to be wise for others than to be wise for oneself.]
#137
On parle peu quand la vanité ne fait pas parler.
We do not have much to say when vanity is not prompting us.
[ChatGPT3.5: One speaks little when vanity doesn't make one talk.]
#138
On aime mieux dire du mal de soi-même que de n'en point parler.
We would rather speak ill of ourselves than not talk about ourselves at all.
[ChatGPT3.5: We prefer to speak ill of ourselves than not to talk about it.]
[“For obvious reasons, our listeners would rather hear us confess our faults than listen to us brag about our virtues and achievements.” — Anonymous]
#139
Une des choses qui fait que l'on trouve si peu de gens qui paraissent raisonnables et agréables dans la conversation, c'est qu'il n'y a presque personne qui ne pense plutôt à ce qu'il veut dire qu'à répondre précisément à ce qu'on lui dit. Les plus habiles et les plus complaisants se contentent de montrer seulement une mine attentive, au même temps que l'on voit dans leurs yeux et dans leur esprit un égarement pour ce qu'on leur dit, et une précipitation pour retourner à ce qu'ils veulent dire; au lieu de considérer que c'est un mauvais moyen de plaire aux autres ou de les persuader, que de chercher si fort à se plaire à soi-même, et que bien écouter et bien répondre est une des plus grandes perfections qu'on puisse avoir dans la conversation.
One of the reasons that we find so few people rational and agreeable in conversation is that most people are thinking about what they want to say, rather than responding to what has been said to them. The most clever and polite people are content with seeming to pay attention, while we see in their eyes and their mind that they are losing track of what is being said and wish to return to what they want to say, without consideraing that the worst way to please or persuade others is to think only of pleasing ourselves. The greatest pleasaure we can have in conversation is to listen and answer well.
[ChatGPT3.5: One of the reasons why so few people appear reasonable and pleasant in conversation is that there are hardly any who think more about what they want to say than about responding precisely to what is said to them. The most skillful and accommodating content themselves with showing only an attentive countenance, while at the same time one can perceive in their eyes and in their mind a distraction from what is being said to them, and an eagerness to return to what they want to say. Instead of considering that seeking so strongly to please oneself is a poor way to please or persuade others, and that listening well and responding thoughtfully is one of the greatest perfections one can have in conversation.]
["CONVERSATION: A fair for the display of the minor mental commodities, each exhibitor being too intent upon the arrangement of his own wares to observe those of his neighbor." -- Ambrose Bierce]
#140
Un homme d'esprit serait souvent bien embarrassé sans la compagnie des sots.
Without a company of fools, a person of wit would very often be at a loss.
[ChatGPT3.5: A witty man would often find himself quite embarrassed without the company of fools.]
#141
Nous nous vantons souvent de ne nous point ennuyer; et nous sommes si glorieux que nous ne voulons pas nous trouver de mauvaise compagnie.
We often boast that we are never bored; and we are so conceited that we never dream that we ourselves are bad company.
[ChatGPT3.5: We often boast about not getting bored, and we are so proud that we do not want to find ourselves in bad company.]
#142
Comme c'est le caractère des grands esprits de faire entendre en peu de paroles beaucoup de choses, les petits esprits au contraire ont le don de beaucoup parler, et de ne rien dire.
Just as it is the character of great minds to convey many things in a few words, so it is the mark of little minds to talk much and say little.
[ChatGPT3.5: Just as it is the nature of great minds to convey much in few words, on the contrary, small minds have the gift of talking a lot and saying nothing.]
#143
C'est plutôt par l'estime de nos propres sentiments que nous exagérons les bonnes qualités des autres, que par l'estime de leur mérite; et nous voulons nous attirer des louanges, lorsqu'il semble que nous leur en donnons.
It is more through self-satisfaction that we overpraise the merits of other people, rather than make a correct valuation of their worth; and though it seems that we are giving praise, we are really trying to attract praise to ourselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is more due to the value we place on our own feelings that we exaggerate the good qualities of others, rather than the esteem we have for their merit; and we seek to attract praise for ourselves when it appears that we are praising them.]
#144
On n'aime point à louer, et on ne loue jamais personne sans intérêt. La louange est une flatterie habile, cachée, et délicate, qui satisfait différemment celui qui la donne, et celui qui la reçoit. L'un la prend comme une récompense de son mérite; l'autre la donne pour faire remarquer son équité et son discernement.
We do not like to praise, and we never give praise without thinking of our own self-interest. Praise is a subtle, hidden, and delicate flattery, which gratifies differently the giver and the receiver. The one takes it as a reward for his true worth; the other gives it to demonstrate his impartiality and discerrnment.
[ChatGPT3.5: People don't like to praise, and they never praise anyone without self-interest. Praise is a skillful, concealed, and delicate form of flattery that satisfies both the giver and the recipient in different ways. One takes it as a reward for their merit, while the other gives it to highlight their fairness and discernment.]
#145
Nous choisissons souvent des louanges empoisonnées qui font voir par contrecoup en ceux que nous louons des défauts que nous n'osons découvrir d'une autre sorte.
We often choose to give poisoned compliments which, in a backhanded way, show those qualities which we could not uncover by any other means.
[ChatGPT3.5: We often choose poisoned praises, which in turn make us see flaws in those we praise that we wouldn't dare to uncover otherwise.]
#146
On ne loue d'ordinaire que pour être loué.
Usually we give praise only to be praised in return.
[ChatGPT3.5: Usually, we only praise in order to be praised.]
["I will praise any man that will praise me." -- Shakespeare]
#147
Peu de gens sont assez sages pour préférer le blâme qui leur est utile `a la louange qui les trahit.
Few people are wise enough to prefer useful criticism over treacherous flattery.
[ChatGPT3.5: Few people are wise enough to prefer useful criticism to praise that betrays them.]
["He that can do much good or harm will not find many whom ambition or cowardice will suffer to be sincere. While we live upon the level with the rest of mankind, we are reminded of our duty by the admonitions of friends and reproaches of enemies; but men who stand in the highest ranks of society seldom hear of their faults; if by any accident an opprobrious clamour reaches their ears, flattery is always at hand to pour in her opiates." -- Samuel Johnson]
#148
Il y a des reproches qui louent, et des louanges qui médisent.
There are criticisms that praise, and praises that criticize.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are reproaches that praise, and praises that slander.]
#149
Le refus des louanges est un désir d'être loué deux fois.
To refuse praises is a desire to be praised twice.
[ChatGPT3.5: The refusal of praise is a desire to be praised twice.]
#150
Le désir de mériter les louanges qu'on nous donne fortifie notre vertu; et celles que l'on donne à l'esprit, à la valeur, et à la beauté contribuent à les augmenter.
The desire to be worthy of the praises that others give us fortifies our sense of virtue; and the praises that people give to qualities of the mind, of courage, and of beauty serve to increase them.
[ChatGPT3.5: The desire to deserve the praises we receive strengthens our virtue; and those given to intellect, courage, and beauty contribute to enhancing them.]
#151
Il est plus difficile de s'empêcher d'être gouverné que de gouverner les autres.
It is harder to avoid being ruled than it is to rule other people.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is more difficult to prevent oneself from being governed than to govern others.]
[ChatGPT3.5 rephrased: It is more challenging to refrain from being governed than to govern others.]
#152
Si nous ne nous flattions point nous-mêmes, la flatterie des autres ne nous pourrait nuire.
If we never flattered ourselves, the flattery of others would not damage us.
[ChatGPT3.5: If we do not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others cannot harm us.]
#153
La nature fait le mérite, et la fortune le met en oeuvre.
Nature provides the merit, and fortune sets it to work.
[ChatGPT3.5: Nature determines merit, and fortune puts it into action.]
#154
La fortune nous corrige de plusieurs défauts que la raison ne saurait corriger.
Fotune corrects for us many of the faults that reason could not.
[ChatGPT3.5: Fortune corrects us of several flaws that reason cannot correct.]
#155
Il y a des gens dégoûtants avec du mérite, et d'autres qui plaisent avec des défauts.
Some people disgust us with their abilities, while others please us with their faults.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are people who are repulsive despite having merit, and others who are likable despite having flaws."]
#156
Il y a des gens dont tout le mérite consiste à dire et à faire des sottises utilement, et qui gâteraient tout s'ils changeaient de conduite.
There are some people whose entire worth is to say and do stupid things usefully, and who ruin everything if they change their conduct.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are people whose entire merit consists in saying and doing useful foolish things, and they would spoil everything if they changed their behavior.]
[ChatGPT3.5 rephrased: There are people whose entire merit lies in saying and doing foolish things effectively, and they would ruin everything if they changed their behavior.]
#157
La gloire des grands hommes se doit toujours mesurer aux moyens dont ils se sont servis pour l'acquérir.
The glory of great people ought always to be measured against the means they used to acquire it.
[ChatGPT3.5: The glory of great men should always be measured by the means they used to acquire it.]
#158
La flatterie est une fausse monnaie qui n'a de cours que par notre vanité.
Flattery is the counterfeit coin given currency by our vanity.
[ChatGPT3.5: Flattery is counterfeit currency that only holds value through our vanity.]
#159
Ce n'est pas assez d'avoir de grandes qualités; il en faut avoir l'économie.
It is not enough to have great qualities: it is also necessary to manage them well.
[ChatGPT3.5: It's not enough to have great qualities; one must also have prudence.]
#160
Quelque éclatante que soit une action, elle ne doit pas passer pour grande lorsqu'elle n'est pas l'effet d'un grand dessein.
However striking an action may be, it should never be taken as a great one unless it is effect of a great plan.
[ChatGPT3.5: No matter how brilliant an action may be, it should not be considered great when it is not the result of a grand purpose.]
#161
Il doit y avoir une certaine proportion entre les actions et les desseins si on en veut tirer tous les effets qu'elles peuvent produire.
There ought to be a certain proportion between plans and actions we if want to draw out of them all the effects we want to produce.
[ChatGPT3.5: There must be a certain proportion between actions and intentions if one wants to extract all the effects they can produce.]
[ChatGPT3.5 rephrased: To fully harness the potential effects, there should exist a specific balance between actions and intentions.]
#162
L'art de savoir bien mettre en oeuvre de médiocres qualités dérobe l'estime et donne souvent plus de réputation que le véritable mérite.
The art of knowing how to make use of moderate abilities wins esteem, and often accrues more fame than real merit.
[ChatGPT3.5: The art of skillfully implementing mediocre qualities conceals esteem and often earns more reputation than true merit.]
#163
Il y a une infinité de conduites qui paraissent ridicules, et dont les raisons cachées sont très sages et très solides.
Countless actions seem ridiculous whose hidden reasons are wise and sound.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is an infinity of behaviors that may seem ridiculous, yet their hidden reasons are very wise and solid.]
#164
Il est plus facile de paraître digne des emplois qu'on n'a pas que de ceux que l'on exerce.
It is easier to seem worthy of posts that we do not fill than for those that we do.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is easier to appear worthy of jobs that one does not have than those one actually holds.]
#165
Notre mérite nous attire l'estime des honnêtes gens, et notre étoile celle du public.
Our true worth wins us the respect of worthy people, our lucky star wins us the admiration of the public.
[ChatGPT3.5: Our merit attracts the esteem of honest people, and our star garners that of the public./
#166
Le monde récompense plus souvent les apparences du mérite que le mérite même.
The world more often rewards the appearance of merit than merit itself.
[ChatGPT3.5: The world more often rewards the appearances of merit than merit itself.]
[ChatGPT3.5 rephrased:
["Success is an ugly thing. Men are deceived by its false resemblances to merit. To the crowd, success wears almost the features of true mastery, and the greatest dupe of this counterfeit talent is History." -- Victor Hugo]
#167
L'avarice est plus opposée à l'économie que la libéralité.
Greediness, more than generosity, is opposed to good management of our resources.
[ChatGPT3.5: Avarice is more opposed to thrift than generosity.]
#168
L'espérance, toute trompeuse qu'elle est, sert au moins à nous mener à la fin de la vie par un chemin agréable.
Hope, though she is a deceiver, at least serves to lead us to life's end by a pleasant path.
[ChatGPT3.5: Hope, deceptive as it may be, at least serves to lead us to the end of life by a pleasant path.]
["HOPE: desire and expectation rolled into one." -- Ambrose Bierce]
#169
Pendant que la paresse et la timidité nous retiennent dans notre devoir, notre vertu en a souvent tout l'honneur.
Even though laziness and timidity make us do our duty, our virtue often gets the credit.
[ChatGPT3.5: While laziness and timidity hold us back from our duty, our virtue often receives all the honor]
#170
Il est difficile de juger si un procédé net, sincère et honnête est un effet de probité ou d'habileté.
It is difficult to judge whether a the totality of a sincere and honest act is the product of probity or shrewdness.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is difficult to judge whether a straightforward, sincere, and honest approach is a result of integrity or skill.]
#171
Les vertus se perdent dans l'intérêt, comme les fleuves se perdent dans la mer.
The virtues loses themselves in self-interest, as rivers lose themselves in the sea.
[ChatGPT3.5: Virtues are lost in self-interest, just as rivers are lost in the sea.]
[ChatGPT3.5 rephrased: Self-interest swallows up virtues, much like rivers disappear into the vastness of the sea.]
#172
Si on examine bien les divers effets de l'ennui, on trouvera qu'il fait manquer à plus de devoirs que l'intérêt.
If we examine the various effects of boredom, we will find that indifference, even more than self-interest, causes us to shirk our duties.
[ChatGPT3.5: If we carefully examine the various effects of boredom, we will find that it causes us to neglect more duties than interest does.]
["Boredom: the desire for desires." -- Tolstoy]
#173
Il y a diverses sortes de curiosité: l'une d'intérêt, qui nous porte à désirer d'apprendre ce qui nous peut être utile, et l'autre d'orgueil, qui vient du désir de savoir ce que les autres ignorent.
There are many forms of curiosity: one, of self-interest, that makes us desire to learn things that might be useful to us; and the other of pride, that makes us want to know things that others are ignorant of.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are various kinds of curiosity: one driven by interest, which leads us to desire to learn what can be useful to us, and the other by pride, which arises from the desire to know what others are unaware of.]
["Curiosity is the lust of the mind." -- Thomas Hobbes]
#174
Il vaut mieux employer notre esprit à supporter les infortunes qui nous arrivent qu'à prévoir celles qui nous peuvent arriver.
It is better to employ our minds by bearing the misfortunes that happen to us, rather than trying to anticipate those that might happen.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is better to use our mind to endure the misfortunes that befall us than to foresee those that may happen to us.]
#175
La constance en amour est une inconstance perpétuelle, qui fait que notre coeur s'attache successivement à toutes les qualités de la personne que nous aimons, donnant tantôt la préférence à l'une, tantôt à l'autre; de sorte que cette constance n'est qu'une inconstance arrêtée et renfermée dans un même sujet.
Constancy in love is a perpetual inconstancy which makes our heart attach itself successively to all the qualities of the person we love, sometime giving preference to one, sometimes to another. This constancy is only an inconstancy bounded and bordered by the same subject.
[ChatGPT3.5: Consistency in love is a perpetual inconsistency, where our heart becomes attached successively to all the qualities of the person we love, sometimes favoring one, sometimes another; so, this consistency is nothing but a halted inconsistency confined within the same subject.]
#176
Il y a deux sortes de constance en amour: l'une vient de ce que l'on trouve sans cesse dans la personne que l'on aime de nouveaux sujets d'aimer, et l'autre vient de ce que l'on se fait un honneur d'être constant.
There are two kinds of constancy in love: one comes from perpetually finding new qualities to love in the person we adore, and the other comes from making it a point of honor to be constant.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are two kinds of constancy in love: one comes from continually finding new reasons to love the person you love, and the other comes from taking pride in being constant.]
[ChatGPT3.5 rephrased: In love, constancy can be categorized into two types: one arises from consistently discovering fresh reasons to adore the person you love, while the other stems from deriving a sense of honor from maintaining steadfastness.]
#177
La persévérance n'est digne ni de blâme ni de louange, parce qu'elle n'est que la durée des goûts et des sentiments, qu'on ne s'ôte et qu'on ne se donne point.
Perseverance is neither praiseworthy nor blameworthy, because it is only the continuance of our tastes and emotions which we can neither abjure nor acquire.
[ChatGPT3.5: Perseverance is neither worthy of blame nor praise because it is simply the duration of tastes and feelings that one neither takes away nor bestows upon oneself.]
#178
Ce qui nous fait aimer les nouvelles connaissances n'est pas tant la lassitude que nous avons des vieilles ou le plaisir de changer, que le dégoût de n'être pas assez admirés de ceux qui nous connaissent trop, et l'espérance de l'être davantage de ceux qui ne nous connaissent pas tant.
What makes us like new acquaintances is not so much the weariness we feel for our old friends or the pleasure of change, as the displeasure of not being sufficiently admired by those who know us too well, and the hope of being seen in a good light by those who do not know us as well.
[ChatGPT3.5: What makes us love new acquaintances is not so much the weariness we have of the old ones or the pleasure of change, but rather the disgust at not being admired enough by those who know us too well, and the hope of being more admired by those who do not know us as much.]
#179
Nous nous plaignons quelquefois légèrement de nos amis pour justifier par avance notre légèreté.
We sometimes complain of the shallowness of our friends in order to justify in advance our own shallowness.
[ChatGPT3.5: We sometimes lightly complain about our friends to justify our own lightheartedness in advance.]
#180
Notre repentir n'est pas tant un regret du mal que nous avons fait, qu'une crainte de celui qui nous en peut arriver. [Liancourt edition: "Notre repentir ne vient point de nos actions, mais du dommage qu'elles nous causent."]
We repent not so much out of regret for what we have done as out of fear for what might happen to us.
[ChatGPT3.5: Our repentance is not so much a regret for the wrong we have done as it is a fear of what may befall us as a result.]
[ChatGPT3.5 Liancourt: Our repentance does not arise from our actions, but from the harm they cause us.]
["The completion and sum of repentance is a change of life. Sorrow and terror must naturally precede reformation; for what other cause can produce it?" -- Samuel Johnson]
#181
Il y a une inconstance qui vient de la légèreté de l'esprit ou de sa faiblesse, qui lui fait recevoir toutes les opinions d'autrui, et il y en a une autre, qui est plus excusable, qui vient du dégoût des choses.
There is a fickleness deriving from shallowness or weakness of character that makes us accept the opinions of other, and there is another, more excusable fickleness that comes from disgust with things.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is one fickleness that stems from the lightness or weakness of the mind, which makes it adopt all the opinions of others, and there is another, which is more excusable, that arises from a weariness of things.]
[ChatGPT3.5 rephrased: One type of fickleness arises from the frivolity or fragility of the mind, leading it to embrace every opinion from others, while a more forgivable kind emerges from a sense of boredom with things.]
#182
Les vices entrent dans la composition des vertus comme les poisons entrent dans la composition des remèdes. La prudence les assemble et les tempère, et elle s'en sert utilement contre les maux de la vie.
Vices enter into the composition of virtues as poisons enter into the composition of medicine. Prudence collects and tempers them and makes them useful aginast the misfortunes of life.
[ChatGPT3.5: Vices enter into the composition of virtues just as poisons enter into the composition of remedies. Prudence assembles and tempers them, and it uses them effectively against the hardships of life.]
["It is good to be without vices, but it is not good to be without temptations." -- Walter Bagehot]
#183
Il faut demeurer d'accord à l'honneur de la vertu que les plus grands malheurs des hommes sont ceux où ils tombent par les crimes.
We must agree, for the sake of virtue, that people's greatest misfortunes are those they fall into by their misdeeds.
[ChatGPT3.5: We must agree that it is to the credit of virtue that the greatest misfortunes of people are those they fall into due to their crimes.]
#184
Nous avouons nos défauts pour réparer par notre sincérité le tort qu'ils nous font dans l'esprit des autres.
We admit our faults in order to rectify by our sincerity the wrong that those faults do us in the minds of others.
[ChatGPT3.5: We admit our flaws to repair, through our sincerity, the harm they cause to us in the minds of others.]
#185
Il y a des héros en mal comme en bien.
There are heroes of evil, just as there are heroes of good.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are heroes in both good and evil.]
[“No man is more dangerous than he that with a will to corrupt, hath the power to please.” — Samuel Johnson]
#186
On ne méprise pas tous ceux qui ont des vices; mais on méprise tous ceux qui n'ont aucune vertu.
We do not despise all those people who have vices, but we do dispise those people who have no virtue.
[ChatGPT3.5: Not everyone with vices is despised, but everyone without virtue is despised.]
#187
Le nom de la vertu sert à l'intérêt aussi utilement que les vices.
The name of virtue serves self-interest just as well as vices do.
[ChatGPT3.5: The name of virtue serves the interest as usefully as vices do.]
#188
La santé de l'âme n'est pas plus assurée que celle du corps; et quoique l'on paraisse éloigné des passions, on n'est pas moins en danger de s'y laisser emporter que de tomber malade quand on se porte bien.
The health of the soul is no more assured than the health of the body; and however much we seem to have distanced ourselves from our passions, we are in no less danger of being swept away by them than of falling ill when we are well.
[ChatGPT3.5: The health of the soul is no more assured than that of the body; and although one may seem distant from passions, they are no less in danger of being carried away by them than of falling ill when in good health.]
#189
Il semble que la nature ait prescrit à chaque homme dès sa naissance des bornes pour les vertus et pour les vices.
It seems that Nature has prescribed for each of us from birth the limits of virtue and vice.
[ChatGPT3.5: It seems that nature has prescribed limits for both virtues and vices for each person from birth.]
#190
Il n'appartient qu'aux grands hommes d'avoir de grands défauts.
Only great people can have great faults.
[ChatGPT3.5: Only great men are entitled to have great faults.]
#191
On peut dire que les vices nous attendent dans le cours de la vie comme des hôtes chez qui il faut successivement loger; et je doute que l'expérience nous les fit éviter s'il nous était permis de faire deux fois le même chemin.
One may say that, in the course of life, our vices wait upon us like landlords in successive lodgings; and I doubt that we could avoid them even if we were permitted to travel twice down the same road.
[ChatGPT3.5: One could say that vices await us in the course of life like hosts with whom we must successively lodge; and I doubt that experience would help us avoid them if we were allowed to travel the same path twice.]
#192
Quand les vices nous quittent, nous nous flattons de la créance que c'est nous qui les quittons.
When our vices abandon us, we flatter ourselves with the belief that we are abandoning them.
[ChatGPT3.5: When vices leave us, we flatter ourselves with the belief that it is we who are leaving them.]
#193
Il y a des rechutes dans les maladies de l'âme, comme dans celles du corps. Ce que nous prenons pour notre guérison n'est le plus souvent qu'un relâche ou un changement de mal.
There are relapses in the maladies of the soul, just as there are of the body. What we call our cure is most often only an intermission or a change of disease.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are relapses in the illnesses of the soul, just as in those of the body. What we take for our recovery is most often just a respite or a change of ailment.]
#194
Les défauts de l'âme sont comme les blessures du corps: quelque soin qu'on prenne de les guérir, la cicatrice paraît toujours, et elles sont à tout moment en danger de se rouvrir.
The faults of the soul are like wounds in the body: no matter how much care we take to cure them, the scars always remain, always in danger of reopening.
[ChatGPT3.5: The flaws of the soul are like wounds on the body: no matter how carefully we try to heal them, the scar always remains, and they are constantly at risk of reopening.]
#195
Ce qui nous empêche souvent de nous abandonner à un seul vice est que nous en avons plusieurs.
What often keeps us from abandoning ourselves to a single vice is that we have several.
[ChatGPT3.5: What often prevents us from giving in to a single vice is that we have several of them.]
#196
Nous oublions aisément nos fautes lorsqu'elles ne sont sues que de nous.
We easily forget those of our faults which are known only to ourselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: We easily forget our faults when they are known only to us]
#197
Il y a des gens de qui l'on peut ne jamais croire du mal sans l'avoir vu; mais il n'y en a point en qui il nous doive surprendre en le voyant.
There are people of whom we would never believe capable of evil without having seen it; but there are no people in whom we should be surprised to see it.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are people whom we can never believe to do wrong without having seen it; but there are none in whom it should surprise us when we see it.]
#198
Nous élevons la gloire des uns pour abaisser celle des autres. Et quelquefois on louerait moins Monsieur le Prince et M. de Turenne si on ne les voulait point blâmer tous deux.
We glorify some people in order to detract from others. And sometimes we would praise Prince Condé and Marshall Turenne less if others did not want to blame them both.
[ChatGPT3.5: We elevate the glory of some to diminish that of others. And sometimes, one would praise Monsieur le Prince and M. de Turenne less if one did not intend to blame them both.]
#199
Le désir de paraître habile empêche souvent de le devenir.
The desire to appear clever often gets in the way of becoming clever.
[ChatGPT3.5: The desire to appear skillful often prevents one from becoming so.]
#200
La vertu n'irait pas si loin si la vanité ne lui tenait compagnie.
Virtue would not go far if vanity did not keep it company.
[ChatGPT3.5: Virtue wouldn't go so far if vanity didn't keep it company.]
#201
Celui qui croit pouvoir trouver en soi-même de quoi se passer de tout le monde se trompe fort; mais celui qui croit qu'on ne peut se passer de lui se trompe encore davantage.
Those who think they can find enough in themselves to be able to do without everyone else are greatly deceived; but those who think that the world cannot do without them are deceived even more.
[ChatGPT3.5: He who believes he can find in himself everything needed to do without everyone else is greatly mistaken; but he who believes that one cannot do without him is even more mistaken.]
#202
Les faux honnêtes gens sont ceux qui déguisent leurs défauts aux autres et à eux-mêmes. Les vrais honnêtes gens sont ceux qui les connaissent parfaitement et les confessent.
Falsely upright people are those who disguise their faults from others and from themselves; truly upright people are those who know their faults and confess them.
[ChatGPT3.5: The false honest people are those who disguise their flaws from others and from themselves. The true honest people are those who know them perfectly and confess them.]
#203
Le vrai honnête homme est celui qui ne se pique de rien.
Truly upright people are never intolerant.
[ChatGPT3.5: The true honest person is the one who does not take offense at anything.]
#204
La sévérité des femmes est un ajustement et un fard qu'elles ajoutent à leur beauté.
The strictness of women is a kind of makeup by which they add to their beauty.
[ChatGPT3.5: The severity of women is an adjustment and makeup that they add to their beauty.]
#205
L'honnêteté des femmes est souvent l'amour de leur réputation et de leur repos.
Women's honesty is often love of their reputation and repose.
[ChatGPT3.5: The honesty of women is often the love of their reputation and their peace.]
#206
C'est être véritablement honnête homme que de vouloir être toujours exposé à la vue des honnêtes gens.
It is a truly honorable person who is willing to be perpetually exposed to the scrutiny of other honorable people.
[ChatGPT3.5: To truly be an honest person is to always want to be exposed to the view of honest people.]
#207
La folie nous suit dans tous les temps de la vie. Si quelqu'un paraît sage, c'est seulement parce que ses folies sont proportionnées à son âge et à sa fortune.
Foolishness follows us throughout our lives. If someone seems wise, it is only because his follies are in keeping with his age and fortune.
[ChatGPT3.5: Folly follows us in all stages of life. If someone appears wise, it is only because their follies are proportionate to their age and fortune.]
#208
Il y a des gens niais qui se connaissent, et qui emploient habilement leur niaiserie.
There are silly people who know themselves, and who employ their silliness skillfully.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are naive people who know themselves and skillfully employ their naiveté.]
#209
Qui vit sans folie n'est pas si sage qu'il croit.
Those who live without folly are not as wise as they believe.
[ChatGPT3.5: He who lives without folly is not as wise as he thinks.]
#210
En vieillissant on devient plus fou, et plus sage.
Growing older, we become both wiser and more foolish.
[ChatGPT3.5: As one grows older, they become both more foolish and wiser.]
#211
Il y a des gens qui ressemblent aux vaudevilles, qu'on ne chante qu'un certain temps.
Some people are like catchy songs that you can sing only for a short while.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are people who are like vaudevilles, only sung for a certain time.]
#212
La plupart des gens ne jugent des hommes que par la vogue qu'ils ont, ou par leur fortune.
Most people judge others either by their fashionableness or their fortune.
[ChatGPT3.5:
#213
L'amour de la gloire, la crainte de la honte, le dessein de faire fortune, le désir de rendre notre vie commode et agréable, et l'envie d'abaisser les autres, sont souvent les causes de cette valeur si célèbre parmi les hommes.
Love of glory, fear of shame, desire to make a fortune, the desire to make our life pleasant and agreeable, and the wish to deprecate others are often the causes of that bravery so celebrated by people.
[ChatGPT3.5: The love of glory, the fear of shame, the intention to make a fortune, the desire to make our life comfortable and pleasant, and the envy of others are often the causes of this valor so famous among men.]
#214
La valeur est dans les simples soldats un métier périlleux qu'ils ont pris pour gagner leur vie.
Bravery for common soldiers is a dangerous method of earning a living.
[ChatGPT3.5: Valor is in common soldiers a perilous profession they have chosen to earn their livelihood.]
#215
La parfaite valeur et la poltronnerie complète sont deux extrémités où l'on arrive rarement. L'espace qui est entre-deux est vaste, et contient toutes les autres espèces de courage: il n'y a pas moins de différence entre elles qu'entre les visages et les humeurs. Il y a des hommes qui s'exposent volontiers au commencement d'une action, et qui se relâchent et se rebutent aisément par sa durée. Il y en a qui sont contents quand ils ont satisfait à l'honneur du monde, et qui font fort peu de chose au delà. On en voit qui ne sont pas toujours également maîtres de leur peur. D'autres se laissent quelquefois entraîner à des terreurs générales. D'autres vont à la charge parce qu'ils n'osent demeurer dans leurs postes. Il s'en trouve à qui l'habitude des moindres périls affermit le courage et les prépare à s'exposer à de plus grands. Il y en a qui sont braves à coups d'épée, et qui craignent les coups de mousquet; d'autres sont assurés aux coups de mousquet, et appréhendent de se battre à coups d'épée. Tous ces courages de différentes espèces conviennent en ce que la nuit augmentant la crainte et cachant les bonnes et les mauvaises actions, elle donne la liberté de se ménager. Il y a encore un autre ménagement plus général; car on ne voit point d'homme qui fasse tout ce qu'il serait capable de faire dans une occasion s'il était assuré d'en revenir. De sorte qu'il est visible que la crainte de la mort ôte quelque chose de la valeur.
Perfect bravery and complete cowardice are two extremes that we rarely find. The space between the two is vast, and contains all types of courage. There are no fewer difference among types of courage than there are among faces and temperaments. There are men who willingly expose themselves to danger at the outset of an action but lose heart and become discouraged as it goes on. Men will freely expose themselves at the beginning of an action, and retreat and become easily discouraged if it should last. There are those who are content themselves when they satisfy public honor, but then will do little beyond that. Some are not always equally masters of their fear. Others allow themselves to be overcome by terrors; others charge forth because they dare not remain at their posts. Some may be found whose fortitude is strengthened by small perils, and who then prepare them face greater dangers. Some will face a sword cut but fear from a musket shot; others do not dread musket shots but fear to fight with swords. These different kinds of courage come together in that, by night, by increasing fear and concealing brave or cowardly actions, men may handle the situation. There is even a more general caution to be observed, for we meet with no man who does all he would have done if he were assured of surviving. It is certain that the fear of death does somewhat reduce valor.
[ChatGPT3.5: Perfect valor and complete cowardice are two extremes that are rarely reached. The space in between is vast and contains all other forms of courage; there is no less difference between them than between faces and moods. Some men willingly expose themselves at the beginning of an action but easily slacken and become discouraged as it continues. Some are content when they have satisfied the world's honor and do very little beyond that. Some are not always equally in control of their fear. Others are sometimes swept up in general terrors. Some charge forward because they dare not remain in their positions. There are those whose habituation to minor perils strengthens their courage and prepares them to face greater ones. Some are brave with a sword but fear musket shots; others are confident in the face of musket shots but dread swordfights. All these various forms of courage share in common the fact that night increases fear and conceals both good and bad deeds, providing the freedom to spare oneself. There is yet another kind of self-preservation more general; for there is no man who does everything he is capable of doing in a situation if he were assured of returning from it. Therefore, it is evident that the fear of death diminishes valor to some extent.]
#216
La parfaite valeur est de faire sans témoins ce qu'on serait capable de faire devant tout le monde.
Perfect valor means being able to perform the same act without witnesses that one would perform in front of the whole world.
[ChatGPT3.5: True valor is to do in private what one would be capable of doing in front of everyone.]
#217
L'intrépidité est une force extraordinaire de l'âme qui l'élève au-dessus des troubles, des désordres et des émotions que la vue des grands périls pourrait exciter en elle; et c'est par cette force que les héros se maintiennent en un état paisible, et conservent l'usage libre de leur raison dans les accidents les plus surprenants et les plus terribles.
Bravery is an extraordinary force that lifts the soul above troubles, disorders, and emotions which the sight of great perils can arouse in it; and it is by this force that heroes maintain their inner equilibrium and preserve the free play of their liberty even in the most adverse and terrible circumstances.
[ChatGPT3.5: Fearlessness is an extraordinary strength of the soul that elevates it above the troubles, disorders, and emotions that the sight of great dangers could stir within it. It is through this strength that heroes maintain a peaceful state and preserve the free use of their reason in the most surprising and terrifying accidents.]
["Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of a readiness to die." -- G.K. Chesterton]
#218
L'hypocrisie est un hommage que le vice rend à la vertu.
Hypocrisy is the respect that vice pays to virtue.
[ChatGPT3.5: Hypocrisy is a tribute that vice pays to virtue.]
#219
La plupart des hommes s'exposent assez dans la guerre pour sauver leur honneur. Mais peu se veulent toujours exposer autant qu'il est nécessaire pour faire réussir le dessein pour lequel ils s'exposent.
In war, most men expose themselves to danger just enough to save their honor. But few will continue to so expose themselves long enough to insure the success of the cause they are fighting for.
[ChatGPT3.5: Most men expose themselves enough in war to save their honor. However, few are willing to consistently expose themselves as much as is necessary to achieve the purpose for which they are risking their lives.]
#220 La vanité, la honte, et surtout le tempérament, font souvent la valeur des hommes, et la vertu des femmes.
Vanity, shame, and especially temperament often make men brave and women virtuous.
[ChatGPT3.5: Vanity, shame, and especially temperament often determine the courage of men and the virtue of women.]
#221
On ne veut point perdre la vie, et on veut acquérir de la gloire; ce qui fait que les braves ont plus d'adresse et d'esprit pour éviter la mort que les gens de chicane n'en ont pour conserver leur bien.
We do not wish to die, and we do wish to acquire glory; this fact makes brave men more clever and thoughtful in avoiding death than crafty lawbenders do in guarding their own goods.
[ChatGPT3.5: One does not wish to lose one's life, and one wishes to acquire glory; this is why the brave have more skill and wit in avoiding death than those who engage in legal wrangling have in preserving their property.]
#222
Il n'y a guère de personnes qui dans le premier penchant de l'âge ne fassent connaître par où leur corps et leur esprit doivent défaillir.
There are few people who, on the approach of old age, do not show signs of just where their minds or bodies will eventually fail.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are few individuals who, in the first inclinations of age, do not reveal where their body and mind are likely to fail.]
#223
Il est de la reconnaissance comme de la bonne foi des marchands: elle entretient le commerce; et nous ne payons pas parce qu'il est juste de nous acquitter, mais pour trouver plus facilement des gens qui nous prêtent.
Gratitude is like good faith among merchants: it holds commerce together; and we pay up not because it is the right thing to do, but so that we can more easily find people to extend credit to us.
[ChatGPT3.5: Gratitude is like the good faith of merchants: it sustains the trade, and we do not pay because it is right to settle our debts but in order to more easily find people willing to lend to us.]
["GRATITUDE: a sentiment lying midway between a benefit received and a benefit expected." -- Ambrose Bierce]
#224
Tous ceux qui s'acquittent des devoirs de la reconnaissance ne peuvent pas pour cela se flatter d'être reconnaissants.
All those who fulfill the duties of gratitude cannot, by doing so, pride themselves on being grateful.
[ChatGPT3.5: Not all those who fulfill the duties of gratitude can therefore flatter themselves with being truly grateful.]
#225
Ce qui fait le mécompte dans la reconnaissance qu'on attend des grâces que l'on a faites, c'est que l'orgueil de celui qui donne, et l'orgueil de celui qui reçoit, ne peuvent convenir du prix du bienfait.
The imbalance of gratitude between parties derives from the fact that the pride of the giver and the pride of the receiver cannot agree on the value of the benefit conferred.
[ChatGPT3.5: What leads to disappointment in the gratitude expected from favors granted is that the pride of the giver and the pride of the receiver cannot agree on the value of the kindness.]
#226
Le trop grand empressement qu'on a de s'acquitter d'une obligation est une espèce d'ingratitude.
Too great an eagerness to repay an obligation is a kind of ingratitude.
[ChatGPT3.5: The excessive eagerness to fulfill an obligation is a form of ingratitude.]
[ChatGPT3.5 rephrased:The excessive eagerness to discharge an obligation is a kind of ingratitude.]
#227
Les gens heureux ne se corrigent guère; ils croient toujours avoir raison quand la fortune soutient leur mauvaise conduite.
Fortunate people rarely correct their own faults; they always believe they are right when fortune favors their bad conduct.
[ChatGPT3.5: People who are happy rarely correct themselves; they always believe they are right when fortune supports their bad behavior.]
#228
L'orgueil ne veut pas devoir, et l'amour-propre ne veut pas payer.
Pride does not want to owe, and self-love does not want to pay.
[ChatGPT3.5: Pride does not want to owe, and self-love does not want to pay.]
#229
Le bien que nous avons reçu de quelqu'un veut que nous respections le mal qu'il nous fait.
The good that we receive from someone should counterbalance any harm they have done to us.
[ChatGPT3.5: The good that we have received from someone requires us to endure the harm they do to us.]
#230
Rien n'est si contagieux que l'exemple, et nous ne faisons jamais de grands biens ni de grands maux qui n'en produisent de semblables. Nous imitons les bonnes actions par émulation, et les mauvaises par la malignité de notre nature que la honte retenait prisonnière, et que l'exemple met en liberté.
Nothing is so infectious as example, and we never perform great good or great evil without inspiring similar actions. We imitate good actions by emulation, and bad ones by our evil nature, which previously shame had held prisoner, and which example now sets free.
[ChatGPT3.5: Nothing is as contagious as example, and we never do great good or great harm that does not produce similar ones. We imitate good actions through emulation and bad ones through the malignity of our nature, which shame kept imprisoned and example sets free.]
#231
C'est une grande folie de vouloir être sage tout seul.
It is a great folly to wish solely to be wise.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is a great folly to want to be wise all alone.]
#232
Quelque prétexte que nous donnions à nos afflictions, ce n'est souvent que l'intérêt et la vanité qui les causent.
Whatever pretext we might assign to our afflictions, it is often only vanity and self-interest that cause them.
[ChatGPT3.5: No matter what pretext we give to our afflictions, it is often only self-interest and vanity that cause them.]
#233
Il y a dans les afflictions diverses sortes d'hypocrisie. Dans l'une, sous prétexte de pleurer la perte d'une personne qui nous est chère, nous nous pleurons nous-mêmes; nous regrettons la bonne opinion qu'il avait de nous; nous pleurons la diminution de notre bien, de notre plaisir, de notre considération. Ainsi les morts ont l'honneur des larmes qui ne coulent que pour les vivants. Je dis que c'est une espèce d'hypocrisie, à cause que dans ces sortes d'afflictions on se trompe soi-même. Il y a une autre hypocrisie qui n'est pas si innocente, parce qu'elle impose à tout le monde: c'est l'affliction de certaines personnes qui aspirent à la gloire d'une belle et immortelle douleur. Après que le temps qui consume tout a fait cesser celle qu'elles avaient en effet, elles ne laissent pas d'opiniâtrer leurs pleurs, leurs plaintes, et leurs soupirs; elles prennent un personnage lugubre, et travaillent à persuader par toutes leurs actions que leur déplaisir ne finira qu'avec leur vie. Cette triste et fatigante vanité se trouve d'ordinaire dans les femmes ambitieuses. Comme leur sexe leur ferme tous les chemins qui mènent à la gloire, elles s'efforcent de se rendre célèbres par la montre d'une inconsolable affliction. Il y a encore une autre espèce de larmes qui n'ont que de petites sources qui coulent et se tarissent facilement: on pleure pour avoir la réputation d'être tendre, on pleure pour être plaint, on pleure pour être pleuré; enfin on pleure pour éviter la honte de ne pleurer pas.
In afflictions there are various kinds of hypocrisy. In one, under the pretext of bemoaning the loss of someone dear to us, we are actually weeping for ourselves; we regret the loss of the good opinion they had of us. We weep for the lessening of our store of good things, of our pleasure, of our importance. Hence the dead have the honor of tears that were never shed for the living.I say that this is a type of hypocrisy in which we deceive ourselves of the true nature of these afflictions. There is another type of hypocrisy that is not so innocent, because it seeks to impose itself on everybody. It is the affliction of certain people who aspire to the glory of a beautiful and immortal sorrow.After time, which consumes all, obliterates what sorrow they really felt, they do not cease venting their tears, their laments, and their sighs; they were a lugubrious mask, and constantly strive, by all their actions, that their grief will only cease at their own life's end. This and boring vanity is usually found in ambitious women. Since their sex closes to them all roads that lead to glory, they try to achieve celebrity by acting out an inconsolable affliction. There is another type of tears which come from a shallow fonts and both flow and dry up easily: people weep so as to obtain the reputation for tenderness, people weep to be pitied, people weep to be wept for in turn; and people even weep to avoid the shame of not weeping.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are various kinds of hypocrisy in afflictions. In one, under the pretext of mourning the loss of a loved one, we are actually mourning ourselves; we regret the good opinion they had of us; we mourn the decrease in our wealth, pleasure, and esteem. Thus, the deceased have the honor of tears that flow only for the living. I say it's a kind of hypocrisy because, in these kinds of afflictions, one deceives oneself. There is another hypocrisy that is not so innocent because it deceives everyone: it's the affliction of certain people who aspire to the glory of a beautiful and immortal sorrow. After time, which consumes all, has truly ended their grief, they still persist in their tears, complaints, and sighs; they adopt a mournful persona and work to convince others through all their actions that their unhappiness will only end with their life. This sad and tiresome vanity is usually found in ambitious women. Since their gender closes off all paths to glory for them, they strive to become famous through the display of inconsolable grief. There is yet another kind of tears with only small sources that flow and dry up easily: we cry to have the reputation of being tender, we cry to be pitied, we cry to be cried for; in the end, we cry to avoid the shame of not crying.]
#234
C'est plus souvent par orgueil que par défaut de lumières qu'on s'oppose avec tant d'opiniâtreté aux opinions les plus suivies: on trouve les premières places prises dans le bon parti, et on ne veut point des dernières.
It is more often through pride than ignorance that people are so opposed to common opinions. We find the best places already taken, and we don't want to be stuck in the last row.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is more often due to pride than ignorance that people are so contrary to common opinions. We discover that the best seats are already taken, and we don't wish to be relegated to the back row.]
#235
Nous nous consolons aisément des disgrâces de nos amis lorsqu'elles servent à signaler notre tendresse pour eux.
We are easily reconciled to the misfortunes of our friends when they serve to elicit our fondness for them.
[ChatGPT3.5: We easily console ourselves for the misfortunes of our friends when they serve to highlight our affection for them.]
#236
Il semble que l'amour-propre soit la dupe de la bonté, et qu'il s'oublie lui-même lorsque nous travaillons pour l'avantage des autres. Cependant c'est prendre le chemin le plus assuré pour arriver à ses fins; c'est prêter à usure sous prétexte de donner; c'est enfin s'acquérir tout le monde par un moyen subtil et délicat.
It seems that self-love is the fool of goodness and forgets itself when we work for the good of others. And yet it is the most certain way for self-love to arrive at its goals. It amounts to charging interest under the guise of giving. In the end, it is the way of taking in everyone by a suble and delicate manner.
[ChatGPT3.5: It seems that self-love is the dupe of kindness, and it forgets itself when we work for the benefit of others. However, this is taking the surest path to achieve one's goals; it's lending at interest under the pretext of giving; it's ultimately winning everyone over through a subtle and delicate means.]
#237
Nul ne mérite d'être loué de bonté, s'il n'a pas la force d'être méchant: toute autre bonté n'est le plus souvent qu'une paresse ou une impuissance de la volonté.
People should not be called good unless they have the power to be bad. All other forms of goodness are usually only laziness or weak will.
[ChatGPT3.5: No one deserves to be praised for kindness if they do not have the strength to be unkind; all other kindness is most often merely laziness or a lack of willpower.]
#238
Il n'est pas si dangereux de faire du mal à la plupart des hommes que de leur faire trop de bien.
It is not as dangerous to do evil to most men as to do them too much good.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is not as dangerous to harm most men as it is to do them too much good.]
#239
Rien ne flatte plus notre orgueil que la confiance des grands, parce que nous la regardons comme un effet de notre mérite, sans considérer qu'elle ne vient le plus souvent que de vanité, ou d'impuissance de garder le secret.
Nothing flatters our pride so much as to be taken into confidence by great people, because we regard such an act as the result of our merit, without considering that it more often stems from vanity or inability to keep a secret.
[ChatGPT3.5: Nothing flatters our pride more than the trust of the great, because we see it as a result of our merit, without considering that it often comes more from vanity or an inability to keep a secret.]
#240
On peut dire de l'agrément séparé de la beauté que c'est une symétrie dont on ne sait point les règles, et un rapport secret des traits ensemble, et des traits avec les couleurs et avec l'air de la personne.
We can say that the quality of attraction, as distinguished from beauty, consists in a harmony about which we cannot discover any rules: a secret rapport of all traits together, traits with the colors and textures of the personality.
[ChatGPT3.5: One can say of charm separated from beauty that it is a symmetry whose rules are unknown, and a hidden connection between features themselves, and features with colors and the demeanor of the person.]
#241
La coquetterie est le fond de l'humeur des femmes. Mais toutes ne la mettent pas en pratique, parce que la coquetterie de quelques-unes est retenue par la crainte ou par la raison.
Flirtation is the basis of feminine temperament. But not all women flirt, because some are restrained by fear or by good sense.
[ChatGPT3.5: Flirtatiousness is at the core of women's temperament. However, not all of them put it into practice, because the coquetry of some is restrained by fear or by reason.]
#242
On incommode souvent les autres quand on croit ne les pouvoir jamais incommoder.
We often disturb other people when we believe that we could never disturb them.
[ChatGPT3.5: One often inconveniences others when one believes they can never inconvenience them.]
#243
Il y a peu de choses impossibles d'elles-mêmes; et l'application pour les faire réusir nous manque plus que les moyens.
Few things are impossible in themselves; what we lack is not the means but the perseverance to help us succeed.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are few things impossible in themselves, and the lack of determination to make them succeed is more of an obstacle than the means themselves.]
#244
La souveraine habileté consiste à bien conna”tre le prix des choses.
Supreme shrewdness means knowing well the value of things.
[ChatGPT3.5: The supreme skill lies in having a good understanding of the value of things.]
#245
C'est une grande habileté que de savoir cacher son habileté.
It is a great shrewdness to know how to hide our shrewdness.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is a great skill to know how to conceal one's skill.]
#246
Ce qui paraît générosité n'est souvent qu'une ambition déguisée qui méprise de petits intérêts, pour aller à de plus grands.
That which looks like generosity is often only a disguised ambition that scorns small interests in order to go after greater ones.
[ChatGPT3.5: What appears as generosity is often just disguised ambition that disregards small interests in pursuit of greater ones.]
#247
La fidélité qui paraît en la plupart des hommes n'est qu'une invention de l'amour-propre pour attirer la confiance. C'est un moyen de nous élever au-dessus des autres, et de nous rendre dépositaires des choses les plus importantes.
That loyalty which appears in most men is only a ruse concocted by self-love to obtain trust. It is a method of raising ourselves above others so as to make ourselves the recipient of important matters.
[ChatGPT3.5: The loyalty that seems to exist in most people is merely an invention of self-love to gain trust. It's a means to elevate ourselves above others and make us custodians of the most important matters.]
#248
La magnanimité méprise tout pour avoir tout.
Magnanimity despises everything so as to get everything.
[ChatGPT3.5: Magnanimity despises everything in order to have everything.]
#249
Il n'y a pas moins d'éloquence dans le ton de la voix, dans les yeux et dans l'air de la personne, que dans le choix des paroles.
There is no less of eloquence in a person's tone of voice, eyes, and comportment than in the choice of words.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is no less eloquence in the tone of voice, in the eyes, and in the demeanor of a person than in the choice of words.]
#250
La véritable éloquence consiste à dire tout ce qu'il faut, et à ne dire que ce qu'il faut.
True eloquence consists of saying all that is necessary, and only what is necessary.
[ChatGPT3.5: True eloquence consists in saying everything that is necessary and saying only what is necessary.]
#251
Il y a des personnes à qui les défauts siéent bien, et d'autres qui sont disgraciées avec leurs bonnes qualités.
There are some people whose faults become them, and others whose virtues disgrace them.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are people to whom flaws suit well, and others who are disgraced even with their good qualities.]
#252
Il est aussi ordinaire de voir changer les goûts qu'il est extraordinaire de voir changer les inclinations.
It is as usual to see changes of tastes as it is unusual to see changes in disposition.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is as common to see tastes change as it is extraordinary to see inclinations change.]
#253
L'intérêt met en oeuvre toutes sortes de vertus et de vices.
Self-interest sets in motion all sorts of virtues and vices.
[ChatGPT3.5: Self-interest sets in motion all kinds of virtues and vices.]
#254
L'humilité n'est souvent qu'une feinte soumission, dont on se sert pour soumettre les autres; c'est un artifice de l'orgueil qui s'abaisse pour s'élever; et bien qu'il se transforme en mille manières, il n'est jamais mieux déguisé et plus capable de tromper que lorsqu'il se cache sous la figure de l'humilité.
Humility is often only a feigned submission which people use to get an advantage over others. It is a device of pride by which we lower ourselves in order to raise ourselves. And though it may shift its shape a thousand ways, pride is never better disguised or capable of deception as when it hides itself as humility.
[ChatGPT3.5: Humility is often nothing more than a feigned submission used to subdue others; it is a device of pride that lowers itself to elevate itself. And though it takes on a thousand forms, it is never better disguised and more capable of deceiving than when it hides behind the appearance of humility.]
["Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real." -- Thomas Merton]
#255
Tous les sentiments ont chacun un ton de voix, des gestes et des mines qui leur sont propres. Et ce rapport bon ou mauvais, agréable ou désagréable. est ce qui fait que les personnes plaisent ou déplaisent.
All feelings have their own unique tone of voice, gestures, and expressions. And this connection, or good or evil, agreeable or disagreeable, is what makes people pleasant or unpleasant.
[ChatGPT3.5: All feelings each have a tone of voice, gestures, and expressions that are unique to them. And this connection, whether good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant, is what makes people likable or unlikable.]
#256
Dans toutes les professions chacun affecte une mine et un extérieur pour paraître ce qu'il veut qu'on le croie. Ainsi on peut dire que le monde n'est composé que de mines.
In all professions everyone puts on an expression and an outward appearance so that they seem believable. Thus we see that the world is only composed of facades.
[ChatGPT3.5: In every profession, everyone adopts a demeanor and an outward appearance to appear as they want to be believed. Thus, one could say that the world is made up of nothing but pretenses.]
#257
La gravité est un mystère du corps inventé pour cacher les défauts de l'esprit.
Solemnity is a secrecy of the body invented to hide the flaws of the spirit.
[ChatGPT3.5: Gravity is a bodily mystery invented to conceal the flaws of the mind.]
#258
Le bon goût vient plus du jugement que de l'esprit.
Good taste arises more from judgment than from intelligence.
[ChatGPT3.5: Good taste comes more from judgment than from intellect.]
["There is a fine line between censorship and good taste and moral responsibility." -- Steven Spielberg]
#259
Le plaisir de l'amour est d'aimer; et l'on est plus heureux par la passion que l'on a que par celle que l'on donne.
The pleasure of love is in loving; and we are happier in the passion we feel than in the passion we inspire.
[ChatGPT3.5:
ChatGPT: The pleasure of love is in loving, and one is happier with the passion they have than with the one they give.]
#260
La civilité est un désir d'en recevoir, et d'être estimé poli.
Civility is a desire to receive civility, and to be thought polite.
[ChatGPT3.5: Civility is a desire to receive it and to be considered polite.]
#261
L'éducation que l'on donne d'ordinaire aux jeunes gens est un second amour-propre qu'on leur inspire.
The education that we provide for young people usually only inspires in them a second self-love.
[ChatGPT3.5: The education typically given to young people is a second form of self-esteem that we instill in them.]
#262
Il n'y a point de passion où l'amour de soi-même règne si puissamment que dans l'amour; et on est toujours plus disposé à sacrifier le repos de ce qu'on aime qu'à perdre le sien.
There is no passion in which self-love reigns so strongly as in love; and we are always more inclined to sacrifice the peace of the one we love than to lose our own.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is no passion where self-love reigns as powerfully as in love, and one is always more inclined to sacrifice the peace of what one loves than to lose one's own.]
#263
Ce qu'on nomme libéralité n'est le plus souvent que la vanité de donner, que nous aimons mieux que ce que nous donnons.
What we call generosity is usually no more than the vanity of giving, an emotion that we love more than that which we give away.
[ChatGPT3.5: What is often called generosity is most often nothing more than the vanity of giving, which we value more than what we actually give.]
#264
La pitié est souvent un sentiment de nos propres maux dans les maux d'autrui. C'est une habile prévoyance des malheurs où nous pouvons tomber; nous donnons du secours aux autres pour les engager à nous en donner en de semblables occasions; et ces services que nous leur rendons sont à proprement parler des biens que nous nous faisons à nous-mêmes par avance.
Pity is often a sense of our own misfortunes in the misfortunes of others. It is a shrewd precaution against the misforftunes that we might fall into. We assist others so that they will assist us in similar occasions, and the services we render are, properly speaking, benefits from them that we secure in advance.
[ChatGPT3.5: Compassion is often a feeling of our own misfortunes in the misfortunes of others. It is a shrewd foresight of the troubles into which we ourselves may fall; we provide assistance to others to encourage them to do the same for us in similar circumstances, and these services we render to them are, properly speaking, benefits we confer upon ourselves in advance.]
#265
La petitesse de l'esprit fait l'opiniâtreté; et nous ne croyons pas aisément ce qui est au-delà de ce que nous voyons.
Pettiness of mind begets obstinacy; and in that frame of mind, we do not easily believe what we cannot see.
[ChatGPT3.5: The smallness of the mind leads to stubbornness, and we do not easily believe what is beyond what we see.]
#266
C'est se tromper que de croire qu'il n'y ait que les violentes passions, comme l'ambition et l'amour, qui puissent triompher des autres. La paresse, toute languissante qu'elle est, ne laisse pas d'en être souvent la maîtresse; elle usurpe sur tous les desseins et sur toutes les actions de la vie; elle y détruit et y consume insensiblement les passions et les vertus.
We deceive ourselves if we believe that only the strong passions, such as ambition and love, can triumph over others. Laziness, as languid as she is, often becomes the mistress; she usurps all our plans an d all our acts in life, and she gradually consumes and destroys both passions and virtues.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is a mistake to believe that only strong passions like ambition and love can triumph over others. Laziness, as sluggish as it may be, often becomes their master; it usurps all plans and actions in life, gradually undermining and consuming both passions and virtues.]
#267
La promptitude à croire le mal sans l'avoir assez examiné est un effet de l'orgueil et de la paresse. On veut trouver des coupables; et on ne veut pas se donner la peine d'examiner les crimes.
The readiness to believe the worst without sufficient examination is an effect of pride and laziness. We want to find the guilty parties, and we do not want to take the trouble to examine the crimes.
[ChatGPT3.5: The readiness to believe evil without examining it thoroughly is a result of pride and laziness. People want to find culprits, but they don't want to make the effort to investigate the crimes.]
[“It is a frequent vice of radical polemic to assert, and even to believe, that once you have found the lowest motive for an antagonist, you have identified the correct one.” — Christopher Hitchens]
#268
Nous récusons des juges pour les plus petits intérêts, et nous voulons bien que notre réputation et notre gloire dépendent du jugement des hommes, qui nous sont tout contraires, ou par leur jalousie, ou par leur préoccupation, ou par leur peu de lumière; et ce n'est que pour les faire prononcer en notre faveur que nous exposons en tant de manières notre repos et notre vie.
We accuse those who judge of acting out of the most petty interests, yet we make our own reputation and fame depend on the judgment of men, all of whom are contrary out of jealousy or self-absorption or lack of enlightenment; and yet, it is only in order to gain their favorable attention that we sacrifice our own peace and our lives.
[ChatGPT3.5: We challenge judges for the smallest of interests, and yet we are willing to have our reputation and glory depend on the judgment of people who are entirely opposed to us, either due to their jealousy, bias, or lack of insight. It is only to have them rule in our favor that we expose our peace and our life in so many ways.]
#269
Il n'y a guère d'homme assez habile pour connaître tout le mal qu'il fait.
Few people are clever enough to know how much evil they do.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is hardly a man skillful enough to know all the harm he does.]
#270
L'honneur acquis est caution de celui qu'on doit acquérir.
Honors won bring yet more honors.
[ChatGPT3.5: An acquired honor is a guarantee of the one yet to be acquired.]
[“For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.” — Matthew 13:12]
#271
La jeunesse est une ivresse continuelle: c'est la fièvre de la raison.
Youth is a continual drunkenness. It is the fever of reason.
[ChatGPT3.5: Youth is a continual intoxication; it is the fever of reason.]
#272
Rien ne devrait plus humilier les hommes qui ont mérité de grandes louanges, que le soin qu'ils prennent encore de se faire valoir par de petites choses.
Nothing should be so humiliating to men who deserve great praise than the care they must take in little things to preserve their worthiness.
[ChatGPT3.5: Nothing should humiliate men who have earned great praise more than the care they still take to make themselves known through small things.]
#273
Il y a des gens qu'on approuve dans le monde, qui n'ont pour tout mérite que les vices qui servent au commerce de la vie.
There are people in this world of whom we approve, whose only merit is the vices they use to get along in life.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are people whom the world approves of, who have no merit other than the vices that serve the business of life.]
#274
La grâce de la nouveauté est à l'amour ce que la fleur est sur les fruits; elle y donne un lustre qui s'efface aisément, et qui ne revient jamais.
The charm of novelty is to love is as the flower is to its fruits: it shows a luster which is easily lost and never returns.
[ChatGPT3.5: The charm of novelty is to love what the flower is to the fruit; it adds a luster that fades easily and never returns.]
#275
Le bon naturel, qui se vante d'être si sensible, est souvent étouffé par le moindre intérêt.
Natural goodness, which boasts of being so responsive, is often smothered by the least self-interest.
[ChatGPT3.5: Good nature, which boasts of being so sensitive, is often stifled by the slightest self-interest.]
#276
L'absence diminue les médiocres passions, et augmente les grands, comme le vent éteint les bougies et allume le feu.
Absence diminishes the lesser passions and increases the great ones, just as the wind extinguishes candles but fans a great fire.
[ChatGPT3.5: Absence diminishes mediocre passions and enhances great ones, just as the wind extinguishes candles and kindles the fire.]
#277
Les femmes croient souvent aimer encore qu'elles n'aiment pas. L'occupation d'une intrigue, l'émotion d'esprit que donne la galanterie, la pente naturelle au plaisir d'être aimées, et la peine de refuser, leur persuadent qu'elles ont de la passion lorsqu'elles n'ont que de la coquetterie.
Women often believe they are in love when in reality they are not. The business of an intrigue, the emotions inspired by galantry, the natural inclination for the pleasure of being loved, and the difficulty of refusal -- all these persuade women that they feel real passion, when in fact it is nothing but coquetry.
[ChatGPT3.5: Women often believe they are in love when they are not. The engagement in an affair, the mental excitement provided by gallantry, the natural inclination to the pleasure of being loved, and the difficulty of refusing, persuade them that they have passion when they have only coquetry.]
#278
Ce qui fait que l'on est souvent mécontent de ceux qui négocient, est qu'ils abandonnent presque toujours l'intérêt de leurs amis pour l'intérêt du succès de la négociation, qui devient le leur par l'honneur d'avoir réussi à ce qu'ils avaient entrepris.
What often dissatisfies us with deal-makers is that they almost always abandon the interests if their friends as they work for the success of their negotiations, which intern becomes the deal-makers own success.
[ChatGPT3.5: What often makes us dissatisfied with those who negotiate is that they almost always abandon the interest of their friends for the interest of the success of the negotiation, which becomes their own through the honor of having achieved what they had undertaken.]
#279
Quand nous exagérons la tendresse que nos amis ont pour nous, c'est souvent moins par reconnaissance que par le désir de faire juger de notre mérite.
When we exaggerate the affection that our friends have for us, it is often less out of gratitude than for a desire to have our own merit appreciated.
[ChatGPT3.5: When we exaggerate the tenderness that our friends have for us, it is often less out of gratitude than out of the desire to have our merit judged.]
#280
L'approbation que l'on donne à ceux qui entrent dans le monde vient souvent de l'envie secrète que l'on porte à ceux qui y sont établis.
The approbation we give to newcomers in society often arises from a secret envy of those already established.
[ChatGPT3.5: The approval given to those entering the world often stems from the secret envy one holds for those who are already established in it.]
#281
L'orgueil qui nous inspire tant d'envie nous sert souvent aussi à la modérer.
Our pride both inspires and moderates envy.
[ChatGPT3.5: The pride that inspires so much envy in us often also serves to temper it.]
["ENVY: emulation adapted to the meanest capacity." -- Ambrose Bierce]
#282
Il y a des faussetés déguisées qui représentent si bien la vérité que ce serait mal juger que de ne s'y pas laisser tromper.
There are deceits that so accurately resemble truth that we would be bad judges if we were not deceived.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are disguised falsehoods that so convincingly portray the truth that it would be unfair not to be deceived by them.]
#283
Il n'y a pas quelquefois moins d'habileté à savoir profiter d'un bon conseil qu'à se bien conseiller soi-même.
Sometimes it is no less clever to profit from good advice as it is to dispense good advice.
[ChatGPT3.5: Sometimes there is no less skill in knowing how to take advantage of good advice than in giving oneself good advice.]
#284
Il y a des méchants qui seraient moins dangereux s'ils n'avaient aucune bonté.
Some evil people would be less dangerous if they had no good at all in them.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are villains who would be less dangerous if they had no goodness.]
[“No man is more dangerous than he that with a will to corrupt, hath the power to please.” -- Samuel Johnson]
#285
La magnanimité est assez définie par son nom; néanmoins on pourrait dire que c'est le bon sens de l'orgueil, et la voie la plus noble pour recevoir des louanges.
Magnanimity is fairly well defined by its name; nevertheless, we could say that in a real sense it is pride, the most noble path to the reception of praise.
[ChatGPT3.5: Magnanimity is quite defined by its name; nevertheless, one could say that it is the good sense of pride, and the noblest way to receive praise.]
#286
Il est impossible d'aimer une seconde fois ce qu'on a véritablement cessé d'aimer.
It is impossibly to love for a second time whom we have really ceased to love.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is impossible to love a second time what one has truly ceased to love.]
#287
Ce n'est pas tant la fertilité de l'esprit qui nous fait trouver plusieurs expédients sur une même affaire, que c'est le défaut de lumière qui nous fait arrêter à tout ce qui se présente à notre imagination, et qui nous empêche de discerner d'abord ce qui est le meilleur.
It is not so much the fertility of imagination that lets us find many ways to conduct the same affair, but rather the lack of clarity that makes us stop before every expedient and stops us from discovering on first encounter which is the best.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is not so much the fertility of the mind that leads us to consider multiple expedients for the same matter, as it is the lack of clarity that causes us to entertain everything that comes to our imagination and prevents us from initially discerning what is best.]
#288
Il y a des affaires et des maladies que les remèdes aigrissent en certains temps; et la grande habileté consiste à connaître quand il est dangereux d'en user.
At some times, remedies for our affairs and our illnesses turn sour, and it is a great shrewdness to know when it is dangerous to employ them.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are affairs and illnesses that remedies worsen at certain times, and great skill consists in knowing when it is dangerous to use them.]
#289
La simplicité affectée est une imposture délicate.
Affected simplicity is a refined imposture.
[ChatGPT3.5: Affected simplicity is a delicate imposture.]]
#290
Il y a plus de défauts dans l'humeur que dans l'esprit.
There are more faults of the temperament than of the mind.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are more faults in temperament than in intellect.]
#291
Le mérite des hommes a sa saison, aussi bien que les fruits.
Men's worth, like the harvest, has its season.
[ChatGPT3.5: The merit of men has its season, just like fruits.]
[Nativity, once in the main of light,
Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd,
Crooked eclipses 'gainst his glory fight,
And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.
-- Shakespeare, Sonnet #60]
#292
On peut dire de l'humeur des hommes, comme de la plupart des bâtiments, qu'elle a diverses faces, les unes agréables, et les autres désagréables.
One may say that the temperament of men, like most buildings, has diverse faces, some agreeable, others disagreeable.
[ChatGPT3.5: One can say of men's temperament, as with most buildings, that it has different sides, some pleasant and others unpleasant.]
#293
La modération ne peut avoir le mérite de combattre l'ambition et de la soumettre: elles ne se trouvent jamais ensemble. La modération est la langueur et la paresse de l'âme, comme l'ambition en est l'activité et l'ardeur.
Moderation is incapable of fighting and subduing ambition. Moderation is a fatigue and laziness of the soul, while ambition is activity and ardor.
[ChatGPT3.5: Moderation cannot claim the merit of combating ambition and subduing it; they are never found together. Moderation is the languor and laziness of the soul, while ambition is its activity and fervor.]
#294
Nous aimons toujours ceux qui nous admirent; et nous n'aimons pas toujours ceux que nous admirons.
We always like those who admire us, and we do not always like what we admire.
[ChatGPT3.5: We always love those who admire us, but we do not always love those whom we admire.]
#295
Il s'en faut bien que nous ne connaissions toutes nos volontés.
It is a good thing that we do not know all our desires.
[ChatGPT3.5: We are far from knowing all our desires.]
#296
Il est difficile d'aimer ceux que nous n'estimons point; mais il ne l'est pas moins d'aimer ceux que nous estimons beaucoup plus que nous.
It is difficult for us to like those who do not respect us; but it is no less difficult to like those whom we respect much more than ourselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is difficult to love those whom we do not esteem, but it is no less difficult to love those whom we esteem much more than ourselves.]
#297
Les humeurs du corps ont un cours ordinaire et réglé, qui meut et qui tourne imperceptiblement notre volonté; elles roulent ensemble et exercent successivement un empire secret en nous: de sorte qu'elles ont une part considérable à toutes nos actions, sans que nous le puissions connaître.
The chemical balance of our bodies have a settled regimen which imperceptibly alters our will. These elements all move together, and successively exercise a secret dominance over us and take a major part in determining our actions without out our knowing it.
[ChatGPT3.5: The humors of the body have an ordinary and regulated course that imperceptibly moves and influences our will. They roll together and successively exert a secret influence within us, so they have a significant part in all our actions without us being able to know it.]
#298
La reconnaissance de la plupart des hommes n'est qu'une secrète envie de recevoir de plus grands bienfaits.
The gratitude of most people is only a hidden desire to receive greater favors.
[ChatGPT3.5: The gratitude of most people is nothing more than a secret desire to receive greater benefits.]
#299
Presque tout le monde prend plaisir à s'acquitter des petites obligations; beaucoup de gens ont de la reconnaissance pour les médiocres; mais il n'y a quasi personne qui n'ait de l'ingratitude pour les grandes.
Almost everybody takes pleasure in returning small favors. Many people receive much gratitude for modest favors; but almost everyone is ungrateful for large ones.
[ChatGPT3.5: Almost everyone takes pleasure in fulfilling small obligations; many people feel gratitude for moderate ones; but there are hardly any who do not show ingratitude for significant ones.]
#300
Il y a des folies qui se prennent comme les maladies contagieuses.
Some follies run their course like contagious diseases.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are follies that are caught like contagious diseases.]
#301
Assez de gens méprisent le bien, mais peu savent le donner.
Many people mistake a good thing, but few know how to bestow it.
[ChatGPT3.5: Many people despise wealth, but few know how to give it.]
#302
Ce n'est d'ordinaire que dans de petits intérêts où nous prenons le hasard de ne pas croire aux apparences.
Only in little matters do we usually not take the trouble of believing in appearances.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is usually only in small matters that we take the chance of not believing appearances.]
#303
Quelque bien qu'on nous dise de nous, on ne nous apprend rien de nouveau.
Whatever good thing people have to say about us, we learn nothing new.
[ChatGPT3.5: No matter how much good is said about us, it teaches us nothing new.]
#304
Nous pardonnons souvent à ceux qui nous ennuient, mais nous ne pouvons pardonner à ceux que nous ennuyons.
We often pardon those people who bore us, but we cannot pardon those who find us boring.
[ChatGPT3.5: We often forgive those who annoy us, but we cannot forgive those whom we bore.]
["BORE: a person who talks when you wish him to listen." -- Ambrose Bierce]
#305
L'intérêt que l'on accuse de tous nos crimes mérite souvent d'être loué de nos bonnes actions.
Self-interest, of which people accuse us of all our misdeeds, often should be praised as the source of our good deeds.
[ChatGPT3.5: The self-interest that is accused of all our crimes often deserves to be praised for our good actions.]
#306
On ne trouve guère d'ingrats tant qu'on est en état de faire du bien.
We find few ungrateful people when we are in a position to grant favors.
[ChatGPT3.5: One hardly finds ungrateful people as long as one is able to do good]
#307
Il est aussi honnête d'être glorieux avec soi-même qu'il est ridicule de l'être avec les autres.
It is just as good to celebrate ourselves while alone as it is foolish to do so in the company of others.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is just as honest to be proud of oneself as it is ridiculous to be so with others.]
#308
On a fait une vertu de la modération pour borner l'ambition des grands hommes, et pour consoler les gens médiocres de leur peu de fortune, et de leur peu de mérite.
We make a virtue of moderation in order to set limits on the ambition of great men, and to console ordinary people for their insignificant status and merit.
[ChatGPT3.5: Moderation has been made a virtue to limit the ambition of great men and to console mediocre individuals for their lack of fortune and merit.]
#309
Il y a des gens destinés à être sots, qui ne font pas seulement des sottises par leur choix, mais que la fortune même contraint d'en faire.
Some people are fated to be fools, who do not commit foolish acts by choice, but because fortune forces them.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are people destined to be foolish, who not only make foolish choices but are even compelled by fortune to do so.]
#310
Il arrive quelquefois des accidents dans la vie, d'où il faut être un peu fou pour se bien tirer.
Sometimes things happen in life that require a bit of craziness to escape.
[ChatGPT3.5: Sometimes accidents happen in life, where you have to be a little crazy to come out of them successfully.]
#311
S'il y a des hommes dont le ridicule n'ait jamais paru, c'est qu'on ne l'a pas bien cherché.
If some people have never seen folly, it is because they have not looked carefully enough.
[ChatGPT3.5: If there are men whose ridicule has never appeared, it is because it has not been sought after diligently.]
#312
Ce qui fait que les amants et les maîtresses ne s'ennuient point d'être ensemble, c'est qu'ils parlent toujours d'eux-mêmes.
What enables lovers not to be bored with each other is that they talk constantly of themselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: What prevents lovers from getting bored when they are together is that they always talk about themselves.]
#313
Pourquoi faut-il que nous ayons assez de mémoire pour retenir jusqu'aux moindres particularités de ce qui nous est arrivé, et que nous n'en ayons pas assez pour nous souvenir combien de fois nous les avons contées à une même personne ?
Why is it that we have enough memory to recall the most trivial occurrences that have happened to us, but not enough memory to remind us how often we have told them to the same person?
[ChatGPT3.5: Why is it that we have enough memory to remember even the smallest details of what has happened to us, but not enough to remember how many times we've told them to the same person?]
#314
L'extrême plaisir que nous prenons à parler de nous-mêmes nous doit faire craindre de n'en donner guère à ceux qui nous écoutent.
The extreme pleasure we take in talking about ourselves should make us afraid that we are not giving the same pleasure to those who listen to us.
[ChatGPT3.5: The immense pleasure we derive from talking about ourselves should make us fear that we don't give much of it to those who listen to us.]
#315
Ce qui nous empêche d'ordinaire de faire voir le fond de notre coeur à nos amis, n'est pas tant la défiance que nous avons d'eux, que celle que nous avons de nous-mêmes.
That which usually keeps us from revealing the depths of our heart to our friends is not the distrust we have in them, but the lack of trust of ourselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: What usually prevents us from showing the depths of our hearts to our friends is not so much our distrust of them, but rather our distrust of ourselves.]
#316
Les personnes faibles ne peuvent être sincères.
Weak people cannot be sincere.
[ChatGPT3.5:Weak individuals cannot be sincere.]
["Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth." -- Tacitus]
#317
Ce n'est pas un grand malheur d'obliger des ingrats, mais c'en est un insupportable d'être obligé à un malhonnête homme.
It is no great misfortune to receive ingratitude for favors we bestow, but it is unbearable to be indebted to a scoundrel.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is not a great misfortune to help ungrateful people, but it is an unbearable one to be obligated to a dishonest person.]
#318
On trouve des moyens pour guérir de la folie, mais on n'en trouve point pour redresser un esprit de travers.
We can find the means to cure folly, but we can find none to cure contrariness.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are means to cure madness, but there are none to straighten a wayward mind.]
#319
On ne saurait conserver longtemps les sentiments qu'on doit avoir pour ses amis et pour ses bienfaiteurs, si on se laisse la liberté de parler souvent de leurs défauts.
We cannot for long maintain the feelings we ought to have for our friends and benefactors if we allow ourselves the freedom of talking frequently about their faults.
[ChatGPT3.5: One cannot preserve for long the feelings one should have for their friends and benefactors if they allow themselves the freedom to frequently speak of their faults.]
#320
Louer les princes des vertus qu'ils n'ont pas, c'est leur dire impunément des injures.
To praise princes for virtues they do no possess is to insult them with impudence.
[ChatGPT3.5: Praising princes for virtues they do not possess is, with impunity, to insult them.]
#321
Nous sommes plus près d'aimer ceux qui nous haïssent que ceux qui nous aiment plus que nous ne voulons.
We are closer to loving those who hate us than those who love us more than we wish.
[ChatGPT3.5: We are closer to loving those who hate us than those who love us more than we want.]
#322
Il n'y a que ceux qui sont méprisables qui craignent d'être méprisés.
The only despicable people are those who are afraid of being despised.
[ChatGPT3.5: Only those who are contemptible fear being despised.]
#323
Notre sagesse n'est pas moins à la merci de la fortune que nos biens.
Our wisdom is just as much at the mercy of Fortune as our property.
[ChatGPT3.5: Our wisdom is no less at the mercy of fortune than our possessions.]
#324
Il y a dans la jalousie plus d'amour-propre que d'amour.
In jealousy, there is more self-love than love.
[ChatGPT3.5: In jealousy, there is more self-love than love itself.]
#325
Nous nous consolons souvent par faiblesse des maux dont la raison n'a pas la force de nous consoler.
We often console ourselves by the weakness of those evils for which reason itself was unable to console us.
[ChatGPT3.5: We often console ourselves out of weakness for the troubles that reason does not have the strength to console us for.]
#326
Le ridicule déshonore plus que le déshonneur.
Ridicule dishonors more than dishonor itself.
[ChatGPT3.5: Ridicule dishonors more than dishonor itself.]
["The most effective way of attacking vice is to expose it to ridicule. People can put up with rebukes but they cannot bear being laughed at; they are prepared to be wicked but they dislike appearing ridiculous." -- Molière]
#327
Nous n'avouons de petits défauts que pour persuader que nous n'en avons pas de grands.
We admit to lesser faults in order persuade people that we have no greater ones.
[ChatGPT3.5: We admit to small faults only to persuade that we do not have any major ones.]
#328
L'envie est plus irréconciliable que la haine.
Envy is more relentless than hatred.
[ChatGPT3.5: Envy is more irreconcilable than hatred.]
#329
On croit quelquefois haïr la flatterie, mais on ne hait que la manière de flatter.
Sometimes we believe that we hate flattery, but in reality we only hate the way it is done.
[ChatGPT3.5: Sometimes we believe we hate flattery, but we only hate the way it is done.]
#330
On pardonne tant que l'on aime.
We pardon so long as we love.
[ChatGPT3.5: One forgives as long as one loves.]
#331
Il est plus difficile d'être fidèle à sa maîtresse quand on est heureux que quand on en est maltraité.
It is more difficult to be faithful to our lover when we are happy than when we are mistreated.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is more difficult to be faithful to one's mistress when one is happy than when one is mistreated.]
#332
Les femmes ne connaissent pas toute leur coquetterie.
Women are unaware of all their flirtations.
[ChatGPT3.5: Women do not fully know their own coquetry.]
#333
Les femmes n'ont point de sévérité complète sans aversion.
Women cannot be extremely severe without loathing.
[ChatGPT3.5: Women do not possess complete severity without aversion.]
#334
Les femmes peuvent moins surmonter leur coquetterie que leur passion.
Women can overcome their flirting less easily than they can overcome their passions.
[ChatGPT3.5: Women can overcome their passion more easily than their coquetry.]
#335
Dans l'amour la tromperie va presque toujours plus loin que la méfiance.
In love deceit almost always goes farther than distrust.
[ChatGPT3.5: In love, deception almost always goes further than suspicion.]
#336
Il y a une certaine sorte d'amour dont l'excès empêche la jalousie.
There is one kind of love whose excess moderates jealousy.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is a certain kind of love of which excess prevents jealousy.]
#337
Il est de certaines bonnes qualités comme des sens: ceux qui en sont entièrement privés ne les peuvent apercevoir ni les comprendre.
There are some good qualities that are like bodily senses, and those who are entirely without them can neither perceive nor understand them.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are certain good qualities that are like the senses: those who are entirely deprived of them cannot perceive or understand them.]
#338
Lorsque notre haine est trop vive, elle nous met au-dessous de ceux que nous haïssons.
When our hatred is too intense we place ourselves beneath those whom we hate.
[ChatGPT3.5: When our hatred is too intense, it places us beneath those whom we hate.]
#339
Nous ne ressentons nos biens et nos maux qu'à proportion de notre amour-propre.
We experience good and evil only in proportion to our self-love.
[ChatGPT3.5: We only feel our good and bad experiences in proportion to our self-love.]
#340
L'esprit de la plupart des femmes sert plus à fortifier leur folie que leur raison.
Women use their minds more to strengthen their folly than their reason.
[ChatGPT3.5: The minds of most women serve more to strengthen their folly than their reason.]
#341
Les passions de la jeunesse ne sont guère plus opposées au salut que la tiédeur des vieilles gens.
The passions of youth are no less opposed to well-being as to the tepidity of age.
[ChatGPT3.5: The passions of youth are hardly more opposed to salvation than the lukewarmness of old people.]
#342
L'accent du pays où l'on est né demeure dans l'esprit et dans le coeur, comme dans le langage.
The accents of the place where we are born stays in our heart and mind like the accents of its language.
[ChatGPT3.5: The accent of the country where one is born remains in the mind and heart, just as it does in language.]
#343
Pour être un grand homme, il faut savoir profiter de toute sa fortune.
In order to achieve greatness, we must know how to profit from every kind of circumstance.
[ChatGPT3.5: To be a great man, one must know how to make the most of all their fortune.]
#344
La plupart des hommes ont comme les plantes des propriétés cachées, que le hasard fait découvrir.
Most people, like plants, have hidden qualities that only chance brings to light.
[ChatGPT3.5: Most men have hidden qualities, like plants, that chance reveals.]
#345
Les occasions nous font connaître aux autres, et encore plus à nous-mêmes.
Circumstances enable us to know others, and even more to know ourselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: Opportunities make us known to others, and even more so to ourselves.]
#346
Il ne peut y avoir de règle dans l'esprit ni dans le coeur des femmes, si le tempérament n'en est d'accord.
If her temperament is not in equilibrium, a woman can control neither her mind nor heart.
[ChatGPT3.5: There can be no rule in the mind or heart of women if temperament does not agree with it.]
#347
Nous ne trouvons guère de gens de bon sens, que ceux qui sont de notre avis.
We find few people possessed of good sense unless they agree with our own opinions.
[ChatGPT3.5: We hardly find people of good sense, except those who share our opinion.]
#348
Quand on aime, on doute souvent de ce qu'on croit le plus.
When we are in love, we often doubt what we most believe.
[ChatGPT3.5: When one is in love, one often doubts what they believe the most.]
#349
Le plus grand miracle de l'amour, c'est de guérir de la coquetterie.
The greatest miracle of love is the cure of flirtation.
[ChatGPT3.5: The greatest miracle of love is to cure coquetry.]
#350
Ce qui nous donne tant d'aigreur contre ceux qui nous font des finesses, c'est qu'ils croient être plus habiles que nous.
What we hate so much about those who try to outwit us is that they think themselves shrewder than we are.
[ChatGPT3.5: What makes us so bitter towards those who play tricks on us is that they believe themselves to be more clever than us.]
#351
On a bien de la peine à rompre, quand on ne s'aime plus.
It is hard to break with someone whom we no longer love one another.
[ChatGPT3.5: It's very difficult to break up when you no longer love each other.]
#352
On s'ennuie presque toujours avec les gens avec qui il n'est pas permis de s'ennuyer.
We are almost always bored with people whom we are not allowed to be bored with.
[ChatGPT3.5: We are almost always bored with people with whom it is not permissible to be bored.]
#353
Un honnête homme peut être amoureux comme un fou, mais non pas comme un sot.
A gentleman may be madly in love but not foolishly in love.
[ChatGPT3.5: An honest man can be in love like a madman, but not like a fool.]
#354
Il y a de certains défauts qui, bien mis en oeuvre, brillent plus que la vertu même.
There are some faults of character which, if well used, shine more brightly than virtue itself.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are certain flaws that, when well executed, shine more brightly than virtue itself.]
#355
On perd quelquefois des personnes qu'on regrette plus qu'on n'en est affligé; et d autres dont on est affligé, et qu'on ne regrette guère.
Sometimes we lose friends whose loss we regret more than we grieve, and there are others whose loss we grieve more than we regret.
[ChatGPT3.5: Sometimes we lose people whom we regret more than we are saddened by, and others whom we are saddened by but do not regret much.]
#356
Nous ne louons d'ordinaire de bon coeur que ceux qui nous admirent.
Ordinarily we only praise heartily those people who admire us.
[ChatGPT3.5: We usually praise with a good heart only those who admire us.]
#357
Les petits esprits sont trop blessés des petites choses; les grands esprits les voient toutes, et n en sont point blessés.
Small minds are too wounded by petty things; great minds see these things, but are not injured by them.
[ChatGPT3.5: Small minds are too wounded by small things; great minds see them all and are not hurt by them.]
#358
L'humilité est la véritable preuve des vertus chrétiennes: sans elle nous conservons tous nos défauts, et ils sont seulement couverts par l'orgueil qui les cache aux autres, et souvent à nous-mêmes.
Humility is the true proof of Christian virtues. Without it, we would keep all our faults, which would be covered by pride alone, in order to hide them from others and, often, from ourselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: Humility is the true evidence of Christian virtues: without it, we retain all our faults, and they are only concealed by the pride that hides them from others, and often from ourselves.]
#359
Les infidélités devraient éteindre l'amour, et il ne faudrait point être jaloux quand on a sujet de l'être. Il n'y a que les personnes qui évitent de donner de la jalousie qui soient dignes qu'on en ait pour elles.
Infidelities should extinguish love, and we should not be jealous even when we have cause to be. Only those people who avoid making us jealous are worthy of exciting our jealousy.
[ChatGPT3.5: Infidelities should extinguish love, and one should not be jealous when there is reason to be so. Only those who avoid arousing jealousy are worthy of it.]
#360
On se décrie beaucoup plus auprès de nous par les moindres infidélités qu'on nous fait, que par les plus grandes qu'on fait aux autres.
We are more outraged by the smallest infidelities committed against us than by the largest we commit against others.
[ChatGPT3.5: We discredit ourselves much more in our own eyes with the slightest infidelities we commit than with the greatest ones we commit against others.]
#361
La jalousie naît toujours avec l'amour, mais elle ne meurt pas toujours avec lui.
Jealousy is always born with love, but does not always die with it.
[ChatGPT3.5: Jealousy always arises with love, but it does not always die with it.]
#362
La plupart des femmes ne pleurent pas tant la mort de leurs amants pour les avoir aimés, que pour paraître plus dignes d'être aimées.
Most women do not weep so much for the death of their lovers because they loved them, but because their lovers' existence proved them worthy of being loved.
[ChatGPT3.5: Most women do not weep so much for the death of their lovers because they loved them, but to appear more deserving of being loved.]
#363
Les violences qu'on nous fait nous font souvent moins de peine que celles que nous nous faisons à nous-mêmes.
The violence that others do us often does not do as much harm as the violence that we inflict upon ourselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: The violence done to us often causes us less pain than the violence we do to ourselves.]
#364
On sait assez qu'il ne faut guère parler de sa femme; mais on ne sait pas assez qu'on devrait encore moins parler de soi.
We know with fair certainty that we should not talk about our wives; but we know less well that we should not talk about ourselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is well known that one should not talk much about their wife, but it is not known well enough that one should talk even less about themselves.]
#365
Il y a de bonnes qualités qui dégénèrent en défauts quand elles sont naturelles, et d'autres qui ne sont jamais parfaites quand elles sont acquises. Il faut, par exemple, que la raison nous fasse ménagers de notre bien et de notre confiance; et il faut, au contraire, que la nature nous donne la bonté et la valeur.
There are good character attributes that degenerate into faults when left to nature, and others that are never perfect when they are acquired. For example, reason requires us to manage our welfare and our well-being, but nature must grant us goodness and courage.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are good qualities that degenerate into faults when they are natural, and others that are never perfect when they are acquired. For example, reason must make us careful with our possessions and trust, while, on the other hand, nature must endow us with kindness and courage.]
#366
Quelque défiance que nous ayons de la sincérité de ceux qui nous parlent, nous croyons toujours qu'ils nous disent plus vrai qu'aux autres.
No matter how suspicious we are of those who speak to us, we always believe that they speak more truthfully to us than to others.
[ChatGPT3.5: No matter how distrustful we may be of the sincerity of those who speak to us, we always believe that they tell us the truth more than they do to others.]
#367
Il y a peu d'honnêtes femmes qui ne soient lasses de leur métier.
There are few virtuous women who are not tired of playing that part.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are few honest women who are not tired of their profession.]
#368
La plupart des honnêtes femmes sont des trésors cachés, qui ne sont en sûreté que parce qu'on ne les cherche pas.
Most virtuous women are hidden treasures, safe only because no one has searched for them.
[ChatGPT3.5: Most honest women are hidden treasures that are safe only because they are not sought after.]
#369
Les violences qu'on se fait pour s'empêcher d'aimer sont souvent plus cruelles que les rigueurs de ce qu'on aime.
The cruelty we do to ourselves to escape falling in love is often worse than the cruelties of those whom we love.
[ChatGPT3.5: The violence we inflict upon ourselves to prevent ourselves from loving is often more cruel than the harshness of what we love.]
#370
Il n'y a guère de poltrons qui connaissent toujours toute leur peur.
Few cowards know the full extent of their own fear.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are hardly any cowards who always know all their fears.]
#371
C'est presque toujours la faute de celui qui aime de ne pas connaître quand on cesse de l'aimer.
It is almost always the fault of people in love not to know when they cease to be loved.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is almost always the fault of the one who loves not to know when they are no longer loved.]
#372
La plupart des jeunes gens croient être naturels, lorsqu'ils ne sont que mal polis et grossiers.
Most young people believe themselves to be without affectations, when in fact they are only rude and crude.
[ChatGPT3.5: Most young people believe they are being natural when they are only rude and uncouth.]
#373
Il y a de certaines larmes qui nous trompent souvent nous-mêmes après avoir trompé les autres.
Some of our tears, after deceiving others, deceive ourselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are certain tears that often deceive us ourselves after deceiving others.]
#374
Si on croit aimer sa maîtresse pour l'amour d'elle, on est bien trompé.
If we believe we love a woman for her own sake, we are very much mistaken.
[ChatGPT3.5: If one believes they love their mistress for the sake of her love, they are greatly deceived.]
#375
Les esprits médiocres condamnent d'ordinaire tout ce qui passe leur portée.
Mediocrities usually condemn what is beyond their capability.
[ChatGPT3.5: Mediocre minds usually condemn everything that is beyond their grasp.]
#376
L'envie est détruit par la véritable amitié, et la coquetterie par le véritable amour.
True friendship ends envy, and true love ends flirtation.
[ChatGPT3.5: Envy is destroyed by true friendship, and coquetry by true love.]
#377
Le plus grand défaut de la pénétration n'est pas de n'aller point jusqu'au but, c'est de le passer.
The greatest fault of perception is not reaching its goal, but overshooting it.
[ChatGPT3.5: The greatest flaw of penetration is not to fail to reach the goal; it is to overshoot it.]
#378
On donne des conseils mais on n'inspire point de conduite.
We give advice but we do not inspire conduct.
[ChatGPT3.5: Advice is given, but it does not inspire behavior.]
#379
Quand notre mérite baisse, notre goûte baisse aussi.
As our character degenerates, so also does our taste.
[ChatGPT3.5: When our merit declines, our taste declines as well.]
Different translations of this maxim, with key word highlighted:
#380
La fortune fait paraître nos vertus et nos vices, comme la lumière fait paraître les objets.
Fortune reveals our virtues and vices, just as light reveals objects.
[ChatGPT3.5: Fortune makes our virtues and vices appear, just as light makes objects visible.]
#381
La violence qu'on se fait pour demeurer fidèle à ce qu'on aime ne vaut guère mieux qu'une infidélité.
The struggles we go through to remain faithful to the one we love are not much worthier than infidelity.
[ChatGPT3.5: The violence we inflict upon ourselves to remain faithful to what we love is scarcely better than infidelity.]
#382
Nos actions sont comme les bouts-rimés, que chacun fait rapporter à ce qu'il lui plaît.
Our actions are like a game of making up rhyming words, in which everyone chooses whatever match that pleases them.
[ChatGPT3.5: Our actions are like "bouts-rimés," which everyone adapts to suit their own preferences.]
#383
L'envie de parler de nous, et de faire voir nos défauts du côté que nous voulons bien les montrer, fait une grande partie de notre sincérité.
The urge to talk about ourselves, and to make our faults seen from our own vantage point, constitutes the greatest part of sincerity.
[ChatGPT3.5: The desire to talk about ourselves and to reveal our faults from the angle we wish to present them constitutes a significant part of our sincerity.]
#384
On ne devrait s'étonner que de pouvoir encore s'étonner.
We should only be amazed that we can still be amazed.
[ChatGPT3.5: One should only be surprised at the ability to still be surprised.]
#385
On est presque également difficile à contenter quand on a beaucoup d'amour et quand on n'en a plus guère.
It is difficult to be satisfied when we have either an abundance or a scarcity of love.
[ChatGPT3.5: One is almost equally difficult to please whether they have a lot of love or hardly any left.]
#386
Il n'y a point de gens qui aient plus souvent tort que ceux qui ne peuvent souffrir d'en avoir.
There are no people more in the wrong than those who cannot stand being wrong.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are no people who are more often wrong than those who cannot stand to be wrong.]
#387
Un sot n'a pas assez d'étoffe pour être bon.
A fool lacks sufficient substance to be good.
[ChatGPT3.5: A fool lacks the substance to be good.]
#388
Si la vanité ne renverse pas entièrement les vertus, du moins elle les ébranle toutes.
Vanity, even if it does not entirely cancel out virtue, at least disrupts it.
[ChatGPT3.5: If vanity does not completely overturn virtues, at the very least, it shakes them all.]
#389
Ce qui nous rend la vanité des autres insupportable, c'est qu'elle blesse la nôtre.
What makes the vanity of others insufferable is that it wounds our own.
[ChatGPT3.5: What makes the vanity of others unbearable to us is that it wounds our own.]
#390
On renonce plus aisément à son intérêt qu'à son goût.
We give up our interests more easily than our tastes.
[ChatGPT3.5: One more easily gives up their interest than their taste.]
#391
La fortune ne paraît jamais si aveugle qu'à ceux à qui elle ne fait pas de bien.
Fortune never seems so blind as to those who have never received her gifts.
[ChatGPT3.5: Fortune never seems as blind as to those to whom she does no good.]
#392
Il faut gouverner la fortune comme la santé: en jouir quand elle est bonne, prendre patience quand elle est mauvaise, et ne faire jamais de grands remèdes sans un extrême besoin.
We must manage our fortune like we manage our health: enjoy it when it is good, bear it patiently when it is bad, and never resort to drastic remedies unless there is extreme need.
[ChatGPT3.5: One must manage fortune like health: enjoy it when it's good, have patience when it's bad, and never resort to drastic remedies unless absolutely necessary.]
#393
L'air bourgeois se perd quelquefois à l'armée; mais il ne se perd jamais à la cour.
Middle class values sometimes wear off in the army, but never at court.
[ChatGPT3.5: The bourgeois air is sometimes lost in the army, but it is never lost at court.]
#394
On peut être plus fin qu'un autre, mais non pas plus fin que tous les autres.
We can be more clever than another person, but not more clever than all other people.
[ChatGPT3.5:
#395
On est quelquefois moins malheureux d'être trompé de ce qu'on aime, que d'en être détrompé.
Sometimes we are less unhappy at being deceived by someone we love than we would be at being undeceived.
[ChatGPT3.5: One can be cleverer than another, but not cleverer than everyone else.]
#396
On garde longtemps son premier amant, quand on n'en prend point de second.
We keep our first lover for a long time, provided we do not take a second one.
[ChatGPT3.5: One keeps their first lover for a long time when they don't take a second one.]
#397
Nous n'avons pas le courage de dire en général que nous n'avons point de défauts, et que nos ennemis n'ont point de bonnes qualités; mais en détail nous ne sommes pas trop éloignés de le croire.
In general, we lack the courage to assert that we have no bad qualities, and that our enemies have no good ones; but in fact we are not far from believing so.
[ChatGPT3.5: We may not have the courage to say in general that we have no faults and that our enemies have no good qualities, but in detail, we are not far from believing it.]
#398
De tous nos défauts, celui dont nous demeurons le plus aisément d'accord, c'est de la paresse; nous nous persuadons qu'elle tient à toutes les vertus paisibles et que, sans détruire entièrement les autres, elle en suspend seulement les fonctions.
Of all our faults, the one that we live with most easily is laziness. We convince ourselves that it stems from the gentler virtues that that, without entirely destroying the others, it merely suspends their operations.
[ChatGPT3.5: Of all our faults, the one we most readily agree upon is laziness; we convince ourselves that it is connected to all peaceful virtues and that, without completely destroying the others, it merely suspends their functions.]
["Every man has something to do which he neglects; every man has faults to conquer which he delays to combat." -- Samuel Johnson]
#399
Il y a une élévation qui ne dépend point de la fortune: c'est un certain air qui nous distingue et qui semble nous destiner aux grandes choses; c'est un prix que nous nous donnons imperceptiblement à nous-mêmes; c'est par cette qualité que nous usurpons les déférences des autres hommes, et c'est elle d'ordinaire qui nous met plus au-dessus d'eux que la naissance, les dignités, et le mérite même.
There is one kind of greaetness that does not depend on fortune: it is a certain aura that distinguishes us which seems to destine us for great things; it is a gift that we imperceptibly grant to ourselves, and it by this quality that we compel the deference of others; and this quality which commonly sets us above time, more than birth, honors and even merit itself.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is an elevation that does not depend on fortune: it is a certain demeanor that distinguishes us and seems to destine us for great things; it is a prize we unconsciously award ourselves; it is through this quality that we usurp the deference of other men, and it is usually this quality that elevates us above them more than birth, titles, and even merit.]
#400
Il y a du mérite sans élévation, mais il n'y a point d'élévation sans quelque mérite.
There is merit without greatness, but there is no greatness without merit.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is merit without elevation, but there is no elevation without some merit.]
#401
L'élévation est au mérite ce que la parure est aux belles personnes.
Social prominence [celebrity?] is to merit what finery is to good-looking people.
[ChatGPT3.5: Elevation is to merit what adornment is to beautiful people.]
#402
Ce qui se trouve le moins dans la galanterie, c'est de l'amour.
What we find least in gallantry is love.
[ChatGPT3.5: What is found least in gallantry is love.]
#403
La fortune se sert quelquefois de nos défauts pour nous élever, et il y a des gens incommodes dont le mérite serait mal récompensé si on ne voulait acheter leur absence.
Sometime fortune uses our faults to distinguish us; and there are some tiresome people whose merits would go unrewarded if we did not want to get rid of them.
[ChatGPT3.5: Fortune sometimes uses our flaws to elevate us, and there are troublesome people whose merit would be poorly rewarded if their absence weren't sought after.]
#404
Il semble que la nature ait caché dans le fond de notre esprit des talents et une habileté que nous ne connaissons pas; les passions seules ont le droit de les mettre au jour, et de nous donner quelquefois des vues plus certaines et plus achevées que l'art ne saurait faire.
It seems as though nature has hidden deep in our characters talents and abilities which we are unaware of; only the passions have the power to draw them out, and sometimes give us a clearer and more complete vision than art could ever achieve.
[ChatGPT3.5: It seems that nature has hidden talents and abilities deep within our minds that we are unaware of; only passions have the right to bring them to light and sometimes provide us with views that are more certain and perfected than art can achieve.]
#405
Nous arrivons tout nouveaux aux divers âges de la vie, et nous y manquons souvent d'expérience malgré le nombre des années.
We arrive as newcomers to the various stages of life, and we often lack sufficient experience in spite of the number of our years.
[ChatGPT3.5: We arrive brand new at the various stages of life, and often, despite our many years, we lack experience in them.]
[ "Life is playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes on." -- Samuel Butler]
#406
Les coquettes se font honneur d'être jalouses de leurs amants, pour cacher qu'elles sont envieuses des autres femmes.
Coquettes pride themselves on being jealous of their admirers in order to hide the fact that they are envious of other women.
[ChatGPT3.5: Coquettes take pride in being jealous of their lovers to conceal the fact that they are envious of other women.]
#407
Il s'en faut bien que ceux qui s'attrapent à nos finesses ne nous paraissent aussi ridicules que nous nous le paraissons à nous-mêmes quand les finesses des autres nous ont attrapés.
It is rightful that those who we snare by our own wiles do not appear as foolish as we appear to ourselves when we are ensnared by the wiles of others.
[ChatGPT3.5: Those who fall for our clever tricks are far from appearing as ridiculous to us as we do to ourselves when the tricks of others have caught us.]
#408
Le plus dangereux ridicule des vieilles personnes qui ont été aimables, c'est d'oublier qu'elles ne le sont plus.
The most dangerous folly of old people who were once charming is to forget that they are no longer so.
[ChatGPT3.5: The most dangerous ridicule for elderly people who have been charming is to forget that they are no longer charming.]
#409
Nous aurions souvent honte de nos plus belles actions si le monde voyait tous les motifs qui les produisent.
We should often be ashamed of our best acts if people could see the motives that produced them.
[ChatGPT3.5: We would often be ashamed of our finest actions if the world could see all the motives behind them.]
#410
Le plus grand effort de l'amitié n'est pas de montrer nos défauts à un ami; c'est de lui faire voir les siens.
The hardest task of friendship is not to show our faults to our friends but to make them see their own.
[ChatGPT3.5: The greatest effort of friendship is not to show our flaws to a friend but to help them see their own.]
#411
On n'a guère de défauts qui ne soient plus pardonnables que les moyens dont on se sert pour les cacher.
Most of our faults are more pardonable than we means we use to hide them.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are few flaws that are less forgivable than the means one uses to hide them.]
#412
Quelque honte que nous ayons méritée, il est presque toujours en notre pouvoir de rétablir notre réputation.
Whatever shame we have brought upon ourselves, it is almost always within our power to re-establish our reputation.
[ChatGPT3.5: No matter how much shame we may have deserved, it is almost always within our power to restore our reputation.]
#413
On ne plaît pas longtemps quand on n'a que d'une sorte d'esprit.
People who have only one kind of wit do not please for long.
[ChatGPT3.5: One does not please for long when one has only one type of wit.]
#414
Les fous et les sottes gens ne voient que par leur humeur.
Madmen and fools see only with their moods.
[ChatGPT3.5: Fools and foolish people see only through their mood.]
#415
L'esprit nous sert quelquefois à faire hardiment des sottises.
Wit sometimes lets us do foolish things with temerity.
[ChatGPT3.5: The intellect sometimes helps us to boldly commit foolishness.]
#416
La vivacité qui augmente en vieillissant ne va pas loin de la folie.
The liveliness that increases with age is close to folly.
[ChatGPT3.5: The liveliness that increases with age is not far from madness.]
#417
En amour celui qui est guéri le premier est toujours le mieux guéri.
In love, he who is cured first is cured best.
[ChatGPT3.5: In love, the one who heals first is always the one who is healed best.]
#418
Les jeunes femmes qui ne veulent point paraître coquettes, et les hommes d'un âge avancé qui ne veulent pas être ridicules, ne doivent jamais parler de l'amour comme d'une chose où ils puissent avoir part.
Young women who do not want to be seen as flirts, and old men who don not want to be seen as fools, should never speak of love as something they want to take part in.
[ChatGPT3.5: Young women who do not wish to appear flirtatious, and older men who do not want to be ridiculous, should never speak of love as something in which they can have a part.]
#419
Nous pouvons paraître grands dans un emploi au-dessous de notre mérite, mais nous paraissons souvent petits dans un emploi plus grand que nous.
We may seem great in a post beneath our ability, but we often seem little in a post above it.
[ChatGPT3.5: We can appear great in a job below our merit, but we often appear small in a job greater than us.]
#420
Nous croyons souvent avoir de la constance dans les malheurs, lorsque nous n'avons que de l'abattement, et nous les souffrons sans oser les regarder comme les poltrons se laissent tuer de peur de se défendre.
We often believe we show constancy in the face of misfortune, when in fact we are only dejected, and dare not face our troubles, much as cowards let themselves be killed because they are afraid to defend themselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: We often believe we have constancy in misfortunes when all we have is dejection, and we endure them without daring to see them as cowards allow themselves to be killed for fear of defending themselves.]
#421
La confiance fournit plus à la conversation que l'esprit.
Confidence does more for conversation than wit.
[ChatGPT3.5: Confidence contributes more to the conversation than wit.]
#422
Toutes les passions nous font faire des fautes, mais l'amour nous en fait faire de plus ridicules.
All passions make us commit mistakes, but love makes us commit the most foolish ones.
[ChatGPT3.5: All passions lead us to make mistakes, but love makes us commit the most ridiculous ones.]
#423
Peu de gens savent être vieux.
Few people know how to be old.
[ChatGPT3.5: Few people know how to grow old gracefully.]
#424
Nous nous faisons honneur des défauts opposés à ceux que nous avons: quand nous sommes faibles, nous nous vantons d'être opiniâtres.
We credit ourselves with faults opposed to those we actually possess: so when we are weak we boast of our stubbornness.
[ChatGPT3.5: We take pride in faults opposite to the ones we have: when we are weak, we boast of being stubborn.]
#425
La pénétration a un air de deviner qui flatte plus notre vanité que toutes les autres qualités de l'esprit.
Insight has the aura of prophecy, and thus flatters our vanity more than any other faculties of the mind.
[ChatGPT3.5: Insight has an air of guessing that flatters our vanity more than all other qualities of the mind.]
#426
La grâce de la nouveauté et la longue habitude, quelque opposées qu'elles soient, nous empêchent également de sentir les défauts de nos amis.
The charm of both novelty and old custom, however opposite to each other, equally prevent us from perceiving the faults of our friends.
[ChatGPT3.5: The charm of novelty and long habit, however opposed they may be, equally prevent us from noticing the faults of our friends.]
["Two opposite qualities blind us equally: custom and novelty." -- La Bruyère]
#427
La plupart des amis dégoûtent de l'amitié, et la plupart des dévots dégoûtent de la dévotion.
Most friends disgust us with friendship, and most pious people disgust us with piety.
[ChatGPT3.5: Most friends disgust with friendship, and most devout individuals disgust with devotion.]
#428
Nous pardonnons aisément à nos amis les défauts qui ne nous regardent pas.
We easily pardon in our friends those faults that do not concern us.
[ChatGPT3.5: We easily forgive our friends for the faults that do not concern us.]
#429
Les femmes qui aiment pardonnent plus aisément les grandes indiscrétions que les petites infidélités.
Women who love pardon great indiscretions more easily than little infidelities.
[ChatGPT3.5: Women who are in love forgive major indiscretions more easily than minor infidelities.]
#430
Dans la vieillesse de l'amour comme dans celle de l'âge on vit encore pour les maux, mais on ne vit plus pour les plaisirs.
In old age of love as in life, we still live through the evils, but no longer live for the pleasures.
[ChatGPT3.5: In the old age of love, just as in the old age of life, one still lives for the sorrows, but no longer lives for the pleasures.]
#431
Rien n'empêche tant d'être naturel que l'envie de le paraître.
Nothing prevents us it from being natural as the desire to appear natural.
[ChatGPT3.5: Nothing prevents one from being natural as much as the desire to appear so.]
#432
C'est en quelque sorte se donner part aux belles actions, que de les louer de bon coeur.
To praise notable deeds heartily is in a sense to take part in them.
[ChatGPT3.5: In a way, it is to take part in noble actions to praise them wholeheartedly.]
#433
La plus véritable marque d'être né avec de grandes qualités, c'est d'être né sans envie.
The truest sign of being born with great qualities is to be born without envy.
[ChatGPT3.5: The truest sign of being born with great qualities is to be born without envy.]
#434
Quand nos amis nous ont trompés, on ne doit que de l'indifférence aux marques de leur amitié, mais on doit toujours de la sensibilité à leurs malheurs.
When our friends have deceived us we owe them nothing but indifference to their professions of friendship, but we should still be sensible to their troubles.
[ChatGPT3.5: When our friends have deceived us, we owe only indifference to the signs of their friendship, but we always owe them sensitivity to their misfortunes.]
#435
La fortune et l'humeur gouvernent le monde.
Chance and caprice rule the world.
[ChatGPT3.5: Fortune and temperament rule the world.]
#436
Il est plus aisé de connaître l'homme en général que de connaître un homme en particulier.
It is easier to understand people in general than to understand one person in particular.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is easier to know mankind in general than to know an individual man in particular.]
#437
On ne doit pas juger du mérite d'un homme par ses grands qualités, mais par l'usage qu'il en sait faire.
We should not judge people's worth by their great potential, but by the use they make of it.
[ChatGPT3.5: One should not judge a man's merit by his great qualities but by the use he knows how to make of them.]
#438
Il y a une certaine reconnaissance vive qui ne nous acquitte pas seulement des bienfaits que nous avons reçus, mais qui fait même que nos amis nous doivent en leur payant ce que nous leur devons.
There is a certain kind of lively gratitude which not only pays our debt for benefits received, but which also puts our friends in our debt even when we pay them their due.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is a keen recognition that not only absolves us of the kindness we have received but even makes our friends owe us by repaying what we owe them.]
#439
Nous ne désirerons guère de choses avec ardeur, si nous connaissons parfaitement ce que nous désirons.
We would yearn for very few things if we clearly understood what we wanted.
[ChatGPT3.5: We will not desire many things passionately if we know perfectly well what we desire.]
#440
Ce qui fait que la plupart des femmes sont peu touchées de l'amitié, c'est qu'elle est fade quand on a senti de l'amour.
Most women are little attracted to friendship because it pales in comparison to the attraction of love.
[ChatGPT3.5: What makes most women less affected by friendship is that it seems bland when one has felt love.]
#441
Dans l'amitié comme dans l'amour on est souvent plus heureux par les choses qu'on ignore que par celles que l'on sait.
In friendship, as in love, we are often happier because of the things we do not know rather than because of those we know.
[ChatGPT3.5: In friendship as in love, one is often happier because of the things they do not know than because of those they know.]
#442
Nous essayons de nous faire honneur des défauts que nous ne voulons pas corriger.
We try to make honorable those faults that we do not wish to correct.
[ChatGPT3.5: We try to take pride in the flaws that we do not want to correct.]
#443
Les passions les plus violentes nous laissent quelquefois du relâche, mais la vanité nous agite toujours.
Sometimes the most violent passions let us relax, but vanity keeps us perpetually agitated.
[ChatGPT3.5: The most violent passions sometimes give us a break, but vanity always agitates us.]
#444
Les vieux fous sont plus fous que less jeunes.
Old fools are more foolish than young fools.
[ChatGPT3.5: Old fools are crazier than young ones.]
#445
La faiblesse est plus opposée à la vertu que le vice.
Weakness, more than vice, is the real enemy of virtue.
[ChatGPT3.5: Weakness is more opposed to virtue than vice.]
#446
Ce qui rend les douleurs de la honte et de la jalousie si aiguës, c'est que la vanité ne peut servir à les supporter.
What makes the pains of shame and jealousy so severe is that vanity cannot help us to endure them.
[ChatGPT3.5: What makes the pains of shame and jealousy so acute is that vanity cannot help bear them.]
#447
La bienséance est la moindre de toutes les lois, et la plus suivie.
Propriety is the least important of all laws, and the one most followed.
[ChatGPT3.5: Decency is the least of all laws and the most followed.]
#448
Un esprit droit a moins de peine de se soumettre aux esprits de travers que de les conduire.
A well-formed mind has less trouble in submitting to contrary minds than in trying to set them straight.
[ChatGPT3.5: A straightforward mind has less trouble in submitting to wayward minds than in leading them.]
#449
Lorsque la fortune nous surprend en nous donnant une grande place sans nous y avoir conduits par degrés, ou sans que nous nous y soyons élevés par nos espérances, il est presque impossible de s'y bien soutenir, et de paraître digne de l'occuper.
When fortune surprises us and raises us to high position without having led us there by degrees, or without our having aspired to such a position in our hopes, it is almost impossible to hold the position securely and appear worthy of filling it.
[ChatGPT3.5: When fortune surprises us by granting us a high position without leading us there step by step, or without us rising to it through our hopes, it is almost impossible to sustain ourselves well in it and appear worthy of occupying it.]
#450
Notre orgueil s'augmente souvent de ce que nous retranchons de nos autres défauts.
Our pride often increases on what we excise from our other faults.
[ChatGPT3.5: Our pride often increases from what we subtract from our other faults.]
#451
Il n'y a point de sots si incommodes que ceux qui ont de l'esprit.
No fools are so bothersome as those who have some intelligence.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are no fools as annoying as those who have wit.]
#452
Il n'y a point d'homme qui se croie en chacune de ses qualités au-dessous de l'homme du monde qu'il estime le plus.
No one thinks each of his own qualities beneath those of the man he most respects.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is no man who, in each of his qualities, does not believe himself to be below the world's man he esteems the most.]
#453
Dans les grandes affaires on doit moins s'appliquer à faire naître des occasions qu'à profiter de celles qui se présentent.
In matters of great importance a man should not so much try to make opportunities as to take advantage of those that present themselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: In major matters, one should focus less on creating opportunities and more on seizing those that arise.]
#454
Il n'y a guère d'occasion où l'on fit un méchant marche de renoncer au bien qu'on dit de nous, à condition de n'en dire point de mal.
There are few occasions in which we would make a bad bargain if we gave up the good said of us on the condition that we speak no evil of others.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is hardly an occasion where it is unwise to make a bad trade-off to renounce the good that is said about us, provided we do not speak ill of anyone.]
#455
Quelque disposition qu'ait le monde à mal juger, il fait encore plus souvent grâce au faux mérite qu'il ne fait injustice au véritable.
However disposed the world may be to misjudge, it is nevertheless favors false merit even more than it is unjust to true merit.
[ChatGPT3.5: However inclined the world may be to make wrong judgments, it more often grants mercy to false merit than it does injustice to the true.]
#456
On est quelquefois un sot avec de l'esprit, mais on ne l'est jamais avec du jugement.
There are sometimes fools with brains, but never fools with good judgment.
[ChatGPT3.5: Sometimes, one can be a fool with wit, but one is never a fool with judgment.]
#457
Nous gagnerions plus de nous laisser voir tels que nous sommes, que d'essayer de paraître ce que nous ne sommes pas.
It would profit us more to let ourselves be seen as we are, rather than to try to appear what we are not.
[ChatGPT3.5: We would gain more by letting ourselves be seen as we are than by trying to appear as what we are not.]
#458
Nos ennemis approchent plus de la vérité dans les jugements qu'ils font de nous que nous n'en approchons nous-mêmes.
Our enemies are closer to the truth in their opinion of us than we are ourselves.
[ChatGPT3.5: Our enemies come closer to the truth in their judgments of us than we do ourselves.]
#459
Il y a plusieurs remèdes qui guérissent de l'amour, mais il n'y en a point d'infaillibles.
There are many remedies for curing love, but none is infallible.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are several remedies that cure love, but there are none that are infallible.]
#460
Il s'en faut bien que nous connaissions tout ce que nos passions nous font faire.
It would be well if we knew all that our passions make us do.
[ChatGPT3.5: We are far from knowing everything that our passions make us do.]
#461
La vieillesse est un tyran qui défend sur peine de la vie tous les plaisirs de la jeunesse.
Old age is a tyrant who forbids, on pain of death, all the pleasures of youth.
[ChatGPT3.5: Old age is a tyrant that forbids, on pain of death, all the pleasures of youth.]
#462
Le même orgueil qui nous fait blâmer les défauts dont nous nous croyons exempts, nous porte à mépriser les bonnes qualités que nous n'avons pas.
The same pride which makes us blame faults from which we believe ourselves exempt causes us to dispise the good qualities we do not have.
[ChatGPT3.5: The same pride that leads us to criticize the faults we believe we are exempt from also drives us to disdain the good qualities we do not possess.]
#463
Il y a souvent plus d'orgueil que de bonté à plaindre les malheurs de nos ennemis; c'est pour leur faire sentir que nous sommes au-dessus d'eux que nous leur donnons des marques de compassion.
There is often more pride than goodness in our pity for our enemies' troubles; it is to show them how superior we are to them, that we give them the expressions of our compassion.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is often more pride than goodness in pitying the misfortunes of our enemies; it is to make them feel that we are superior to them that we show them signs of compassion.]
#464
Il y a un excès de biens et de maux qui passe notre sensibilité.
There exists an excess of good and evil which surpasses our ability to appreciate them.
[ChatGPT3.5: There is an excess of goods and evils that surpasses our sensibility.]
#465
Il s'en faut bien que l'innocence ne trouve autant de protection que le crime.
It is well if innocence finds the same protection as crime.
[ChatGPT3.5: Innocence is far from finding as much protection as crime.]
#466
De toutes les passions violentes, celle qui sied le moins mal aux femmes, c'est l'amour.
Of all the violent passions the one that befits a woman best is love.
[ChatGPT3.5: Of all the violent passions, the one that suits women the least badly is love.]
#467
La vanité nous fait faire plus de choses contre notre goût que la raison.
Vanity, more than reason, leads us to act against our sense of what is right.
[ChatGPT3.5: Vanity makes us do more things against our taste than reason does.]
#468
La souveraine habileté consiste à bien connaître le prix des choses.
Supreme shrewdness means knowing well the value of things.
[ChatGPT3.5: Supreme shrewdness means understanding the value of things."]
#469
On ne souhaite jamais ardemment ce qu'on ne souhaite que par raison.
We never desire earnestly what we desire only reasonably.
[ChatGPT3.5: We never ardently desire what we only desire by reason.]
#470
Toutes nos qualités sont incertaines et douteuses en bien comme en mal, et elles sont presque toutes à la merci des occasions.
All our qualities are uncertain and doubtful, both the good as well as the bad, and nearly all are at the mercy of circumstances.
[ChatGPT3.5: All our qualities are uncertain and doubtful, both in good and bad ways, and most of them are at the mercy of circumstances.]
#471
Dans les premières passions les femmes aiment l'amant, et dans les autres elles aiment l'amour.
In their first affairs women are in love with their beloved, and in later affairs they are in love with love.
[ChatGPT3.5: In the initial stages of passion, women love the lover, and in the later stages, they love love itself.]
#472
L'orgueil a ses bizarreries, comme les autres passions; on a honte d'avouer que l'on ait de la jalousie, et on se fait honneur d'en avoir eu, et d'être capable d'en avoir.
Pride, like other passions, has its quirks; we are ashamed to confess we are jealous, and yet we pride ourselves on having been so and on being capable of being so.
[ChatGPT3.5: Pride has its peculiarities, like other passions; one is ashamed to admit to jealousy, and one takes pride in having experienced it and being capable of it.]
#473
Quelque rare que soit le véritable amour, il l'est encore moins que la véritable amitié.
However rare true love may be, true friendship is even rarer.
[ChatGPT3.5: However rare true love may be, it is even rarer than true friendship.]
#474
Il y a peu de femmes dont le mérite dure plus que la beauté.
There are few women whose worthiness lasts longer than their beauty.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are few women whose merit lasts longer than their beauty.]
#475
L'envie d'être plaint, ou d'être admire, fait souvent la plus grande partie de notre confiance.
Desire for pity or admiration is usually our main motive for our self-confidence.
[ChatGPT3.5: The desire to be pitied or admired often makes up a significant part of our self-assurance.]
#476
Notre envie dure toujours plus longtemps que le bonheur de ceux que nous envions.
Our envy always outlasts the happiness of those whom we envy.
[ChatGPT3.5: Our envy always lasts longer than the happiness of those we envy.]
#477
La même fermeté qui sert à résister à l'amour sert aussi a le rendre violent et durable, et les personnes faibles qui sont toujours agitées des passions n'en sont presque jamais véritablement remplies.
The same firmness of character which helps a person to fight against falling in love also makes that love more violent and long-lasting, whereas weak people who are constantly agitated by passions are almost never really possessed by them.
[ChatGPT3.5: The same steadfastness that helps resist love also serves to make it intense and enduring, and weak individuals who are constantly agitated by passions are seldom truly filled with it.]
#478
L'imagination ne saurait inventer tant de diverses contrariétés qu'il y en a naturellement dans le coeur de chaque personne.
Imagination could not invent as many contradictions as nature has placed into the heart of every person.
[ChatGPT3.5: Imagination could not invent as many contradictions as nature has placed in the heart of every individual.]
#479
Il n'y a que les personnes qui ont de la fermeté qui puissent avoir une véritable douceur; celles qui paraissent douces n'ont d'ordinaire que de la faiblesse, qui se convertit aisément en aigreur.
It is only people of firm character who can possess real gentleness; those who appear gentle are usually only weak, which easily turns into acrimony.
[ChatGPT3.5: Only those with inner strength can possess true gentleness; those who appear gentle often have only weakness, which can easily turn into bitterness.]
#480
La timidité est un défaut dont il est dangereux de reprendre les personnes qu'on en veut corriger.
Shyness is a character flaw which it dangerous to censure in those people whom we wish to cure.
[ChatGPT3.5: Shyness is a flaw that is dangerous to criticize in people you want to correct.]
#481
Rien n'est plus rare que la véritable bonté; ceux mêmes qui croient en avoir n'ont d'ordinaire que de la complaisance ou de la faiblesse.
Nothing is more uncommon than true goodness; those people who think they possess that quality are usually only either complaisant or weak.
[ChatGPT3.5: Nothing is rarer than true goodness; even those who believe they possess it usually have only indulgence or weakness.]
#482
L'esprit s'attache par paresse et par constance à ce qui lui est facile ou agréable; cette habitude met toujours des bornes à nos connaissances, et jamais personne ne s'est donné la peine d'étendre et de conduire son esprit aussi loin qu'il pourrait aller.
Because of laziness and inertia, our mind occupies itself with what is easy or agreeable. This habit sets limits to our understanding, and no one has ever taken the trouble to stretch his mind as far as it might go.
[ChatGPT3.5: The mind clings out of both laziness and constancy to what is easy or pleasant to it; this habit always sets limits to our knowledge, and no one has ever taken the trouble to stretch and guide their mind as far as it could go.]
#483
On est d'ordinaire plus médisant par vanité que par malice.
We are ordinarily more slanderous out of vanity than out of malice.
[ChatGPT3.5: People are usually more malicious out of vanity than out of malice.]
#484
Quand on a le coeur encore agité par les restes d'une passion, on est plus près d'en prendre une nouvelle que quand on est entièrement guéri.
When the heart is still agitated by the remains of a passion, it is more likely to take on a new one than when we are completely cured of the old.
[ChatGPT3.5: When one's heart is still agitated by the remnants of a passion, they are closer to falling into a new one than when they are completely healed.]
#485
Ceux qui ont eu de grandes passions se trouvent toute leur vie heureux, et malheureux, d'en être guéris.
Those people who have known profound passions find that they are both happy and unhappy that they are cured.
[ChatGPT3.5: Those who have had great passions find themselves happy and unhappy throughout their lives to be cured of them.]
#486
Il y a encore plus de gens sans intérêt que sans envie.
There are still more people free from self interest than from envy.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are even more people without interest than without envy.]
#487
Nous avons plus de paresse dans l'esprit que dans le corps.
Our minds are lazier than our bodies.
[ChatGPT3.5: We have more laziness in the mind than in the body.]
#488
Le calme ou l'agitation de notre humeur ne dépend pas tant de ce qui nous arrive de plus considérable dans la vie, que d'un arrangement commode ou désagréable de petites choses qui arrivent tous les jours.
The calmness or agitation of our moods does not depend smooch on the great events of our lives as on the sequence of disagreeable or petty things that happen to us daily.
[ChatGPT3.5: The calm or agitation of our mood depends not so much on the most significant events in life as on the convenient or unpleasant arrangement of little things that happen every day.]
#489
Quelque méchants que soient les hommes, ils n'oseraient paraître ennemis de la vertu, et lorsqu'ils la veulent persécuter, ils feignent de croire qu'elle est fausse ou ils lui supposent des crimes.
However evil some men are, they dare not appear as enemies of virtue, and so when they want to persecute it they pretend to believe that virtue is false or the cause of crimes.
[ChatGPT3.5: No matter how wicked people may be, they dare not appear as enemies of virtue, and when they want to persecute it, they pretend to believe it is false or attribute crimes to it.]
#490
On passe souvent de l'amour à l'ambition, mais on ne revient guère de l'ambition à l'amour.
We often pass from love to ambition, but rarely to we return from ambition to love.
[ChatGPT3.5: One often transitions from love to ambition, but seldom returns from ambition to love.]
#491
L'extrême avarice se méprend presque toujours; il n'y a point de passion qui s'éloigne plus souvent de son but, ni sur qui le présent ait tant de pouvoir au préjudice de l'avenir.
Extreme avarice almost always makes mistakes; no passion more frequently misses its goal, nor one over which the present has so much power, to the detriment of the future.
[ChatGPT3.5: Extreme avarice almost always makes a mistake; there is no passion that more frequently deviates from its goal, nor one on which the present has so much power to the detriment of the future.]
#492
L'avarice produit souvent des effets contraires; il y a un nombre infini de gens qui sacrifient tout leur bien à des espérances douteuses et éloignées, d'autres méprisent de grands avantages à venir pour de petits intérêts présents.
Avarice often produces contrary effects; a great many people sacrifice present good to doubtful and distant future hopes, and others turn away from great possible future advantages for the sake of petty present gains.
[ChatGPT3.5: Avarice often produces contradictory effects; there are countless people who sacrifice all their wealth for uncertain and distant hopes, while others disregard significant future benefits for small present interests.]
#493
Il semble que les hommes ne se trouvent pas assez de défauts; ils en augmentent encore le nombre par de certaines qualités singulières dont ils affectent de se parer, et ils les cultivent avec tant de soin qu'elles deviennent à la fin des défauts naturels, qu'il ne dépend plus d'eux de corriger.
It seems that people feel that they do not possess enough failings, and so they increase them with some strange new qualities by which they affect to give themselves airs. These new traits such people cultivate with so much care that in the end those qualities become deep-rooted faults which they cannot get rid of.
[ChatGPT3.5: It seems that men do not have enough faults; they further increase their number with certain peculiar qualities they affect to adorn themselves with, and they cultivate them with such care that they eventually become natural flaws that they can no longer correct.]
#494
Ce qui fait voir que les hommes connaissent mieux leurs fautes qu'on ne pense, c'est qu'ils n'ont jamais tort quand on les entend parler de leur conduite: le même amour-propre qui les aveugle d'ordinaire les éclaire alors, et leur donne des vues si justes qu'il leur fait supprimer ou déguiser les moindres choses qui peuvent être condamnées.
The proof that people know their own flaws better than you might think is that they never fall int error when discussing their own conduct: the same self-love that ordinary blinds them now clearly appears before their eyes, and gives them such an accurate vision that they suppress or disguise the slightest things that might be condemned.
[ChatGPT3.5: What shows that people know their faults better than one might think is that they are never wrong when you hear them talk about their behavior: the same self-love that usually blinds them then enlightens them and gives them such accurate views that it makes them omit or disguise the slightest things that could be condemned.]
#495
Il faut que les jeunes gens qui entrent dans le monde soient honteux ou étourdis: un air capable et composé se tourne d'ordinaire en impertinence.
Young people entering into society should be either bashful or giddy; an air of competence or self-assurance usually appears as impertinence.
[ChatGPT3.5: Young people entering society must either be modest or reckless; an appearance of capability and composure often turns into impertinence.]
#496
Les querelles ne dureraient pas longtemps, si le tort n'était que d'un côté.
Quarrels would not last long if the fault were only on one side.
[ChatGPT3.5: Quarrels would not last long if the wrong were only on one side.]
#497
Il ne sert de rien d'être jeune sans être belle, ni d'être belle sans être jeune.
It is useless to be young without good looks, or to be good-looking without youth.
[ChatGPT3.5: It is of no use to be young without being beautiful, nor to be beautiful without being young.]
#498
Il y a des personnes si légères et si frivoles qu'elles sont aussi éloignées d'avoir de véritables défauts que des qualités solides.
Some people are such frivolous lightweights that they are as far from having real faults as they are from having solid virtues.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are people so light and frivolous that they are as far from having real faults as from having solid qualities.]
#499
On ne compte d'ordinaire la première galanterie des femmes que lorsqu'elles en ont une seconde.
Usually we take no notice of a woman's first amorous adventure until she has entered into her second.
[ChatGPT3.5: The first gallantry of women is usually only counted when they have a second one.]
#500
Il y a des gens si remplis d'eux-mêmes que, lorsqu'ils sont amoureux, ils trouvent moyen d'être occupés de leur passion sans l'être de la personne qu'ils aiment.
There are some people so full of themselves that when they are in love, they are more obsessed with their own passion than with the feelings of the person they love.
[ChatGPT3.5: There are people so full of themselves that when they are in love, they find a way to be preoccupied with their passion without being preoccupied with the person they love.]
#501
L'amour, tout agréable qu'il est, plaît encore plus par les manières dont il se montre que par lui-même.
Love, agreeable as it is, pleases even more in the ways it shows itself.
[ChatGPT3.5: Love, as delightful as it is, pleases even more through the ways in which it is expressed than by itself.]
#502
Peu d'esprit avec de la droiture ennuie moins, à la longue, que beaucoup d'esprit avec du travers.
Those people with little sense are less annoying than people with much sense but a contrary disposition.
[ChatGPT3.5: A little wit combined with integrity is less boring in the long run than a lot of wit combined with flaws.]
#503
La jalousie est le plus grand de tous les maux, et celui qui fait le moins de pitié aux personnes qui le causent.
Jealousy is the greatest of evils, and excites the least pity in those who are the cause of it.
[ChatGPT3.5: Jealousy is the greatest of all evils, and it elicits the least pity for those who cause it.]
#504
Après avoir parlé de la fausseté de tant de vertus apparentes, il est raisonnable de dire quelque chose de la fausseté du mépris de la mort. J'entends parler de ce mépris de la mort que les païens se vantent de tirer de leurs propres forces, sans l'espérance d'une meilleure vie. Il y a différence entre souffrir la mort constamment, et la mépriser. Le premier est assez ordinaire; mais je crois que l'autre n'est jamais sincère. On a écrit néanmoins tout ce qui peut le plus persuader que la mort n'est point un mal; et les hommes les plus faibles aussi bien que les héros ont donné mille exemples célèbres pour établir cette opinion. Cependant je doute que personne de bon sens l'ait jamais cru; et la peine que l'on prend pour le persuader aux autres et à soi-même fait assez voir que cette entreprise n'est pas aisée. On peut avoir divers sujets de dégoût dans la vie, mais on n'a jamais raison de mépriser la mort; ceux mêmes qui se la donnent volontairement ne la comptent pas pour si peu de chose, et ils s'en étonnent et la rejettent comme les autres, lorsqu'elle vient à eux par une autre voie que celle qu'ils ont choisie. L'inégalité que l'on remarque dans le courage d'un nombre infini de vaillants hommes vient de ce que la mort se découvre différemment à leur imagination, et y paraît plus présente en un temps qu'en un autre. Ainsi il arrive qu'après avoir méprisé ce qu'ils ne connaissent pas, ils craignent enfin ce qu'ils connaissent. Il faut éviter de l'envisager avec toutes ses circonstances, si on ne veut pas croire qu'elle soit le plus grand de tous les maux. Les plus habiles et les plus braves sont ceux qui prennent de plus honnêtes prétextes pour s'empêcher de la considérer. Mais tout homme qui la sait voir telle qu'elle est, trouve que c'est une chose épouvantable. La nécessité de mourir faisait toute la constance des philosophes. Ils croyaient qu'il fallait aller de bonne grâce où l'on ne saurait s'empêcher d'aller; et, ne pouvant éterniser leur vie, il n'y avait rien qu'ils ne fissent pour éterniser leur réputation, et sauver du naufrage ce qui n'en peut être garanti. Contentons-nous pour faire bonne mine de ne nous pas dire à nous-mêmes tout ce que nous en pensons, et espérons plus de notre tempérament que de ces faibles raisonnements qui nous font croire que nous pouvons approcher de la mort avec indifférence. La gloire de mourir avec fermeté, l'espérance d'être regretté, le désir de laisser une belle réputation, l'assurance d'être affranchi des misères de la vie, et de ne dépendre plus des caprices de la fortune, sont des remèdes qu'on ne doit pas rejeter. Mais on ne doit pas croire aussi qu'ils soient infaillibles. Ils font pour nous assurer ce qu'une simple haie fait souvent à la guerre pour assurer ceux qui doivent approcher d'un lieu d'où l'on tire. Quand on en est éloigné, on s'imagine qu'elle peut mettre à couvert; mais quand on en est proche, on trouve que c'est un faible secours. C'est nous flatter, de croire que la mort nous paraisse de près ce que nous en avons jugé de loin, et que nos sentiments, qui ne sont que faiblesse, soient d'une trempe assez forte pour ne point souffrir d'atteinte par la plus rude de toutes les épreuves. C'est aussi mal connaître les effets de l'amour-propre, que de penser qu'il puisse nous aider à compter pour rien ce qui le doit nécessairement détruire, et la raison, dans laquelle on croit trouver tant de ressources, est trop faible en cette rencontre pour nous persuader ce que nous voulons. C'est elle au contraire qui nous trahit le plus souvent, et qui, au lieu de nous inspirer le mépris de la mort, sert à nous découvrir ce qu'elle a d'affreux et de terrible. Tout ce qu'elle peut faire pour nous est de nous conseiller d'en détourner les yeux pour les arrêter sur d'autres objets. Caton et Brutus en choisirent d'illustres. Un laquais se contenta il y a quelque temps de danser sur l'échafaud où il allait être roué. Ainsi, bien que les motifs soient différents, ils produisent les mêmes effets De sorte qu'il est vrai que, quelque disproportion qu'il y ait entre les grands hommes et les gens du commun, on a vu mille fois les uns et les autres recevoir la mort d'un même visage; mais ç'a toujours été avec cette différence que, dans le mépris que les grands hommes font paraître pour la mort, c'est l'amour de la gloire qui leur en ôte la vue, et dans les gens du commun ce n'est qu'un effet de leur peu de lumière qui les empêche de connaître la grandeur de leur mal et leur laisse la liberté de penser à autre chose.
Thus having treated of the hollowness of so many apparent virtues, it is but just to say something on the hollowness of the contempt for death. I allude to that contempt of death which the heathen boasted they derived from their unaided understanding, without the hope of a future state. There is a difference between meeting death with courage and despising it. The first is common enough, the last I think always feigned. Yet everything that could be has been written to persuade us that death is no evil, and the weakest of men, equally with the bravest, have given many noble examples on which to found such an opinion, still I do not think that any man of good sense has ever yet believed in it. And the pains we take to persuade others as well as ourselves amply show that the task is far from easy. For many reasons we may be disgusted with life, but for none may we despise it. Not even those who commit suicide regard it as a light matter, and are as much alarmed and startled as the rest of the world if death meets them in a different way than the one they have selected. The difference we observe in the courage of so great a number of brave men, is from meeting death in a way different from what they imagined, when it shows itself nearer at one time than at another. Thus it ultimately happens that having despised death when they were ignorant of it, they dread it when they become acquainted with it. If we could avoid seeing it with all its surroundings, we might perhaps believe that it was not the greatest of evils. The wisest and bravest are those who take the best means to avoid reflecting on it, as every man who sees it in its real light regards it as dreadful. The necessity of dying created all the constancy of philosophers. They thought it but right to go with a good grace when they could not avoid going, and being unable to prolong their lives indefinitely, nothing remained but to build an immortal reputation, and to save from the general wreck all that could be saved. To put a good face upon it, let it suffice, not to say all that we think to ourselves, but rely more on our nature than on our fallible reason, which might make us think we could approach death with indifference. The glory of dying with courage, the hope of being regretted, the desire to leave behind us a good reputation, the assurance of being enfranchised from the miseries of life and being no longer dependent on the wiles of fortune, are resources which should not be passed over. But we must not regard them as infallible. They should affect us in the same proportion as a single shelter affects those who in war storm a fortress. At a distance they think it may afford cover, but when near they find it only a feeble protection. It is only deceiving ourselves to imagine that death, when near, will seem the same as at a distance, or that our feelings, which are merely weaknesses, are naturally so strong that they will not suffer in an attack of the rudest of trials. It is equally as absurd to try the effect of self-esteem and to think it will enable us to count as naught what will of necessity destroy it. And the mind in which we trust to find so many resources will be far too weak in the struggle to persuade us in the way we wish. For it is this which betrays us so frequently, and which, instead of filling us with contempt of death, serves but to show us all that is frightful and fearful. The most it can do for us is to persuade us to avert our gaze and fix it on other objects. Cato and Brutus each selected noble ones. A lackey sometime ago contented himself by dancing on the scaffold when he was about to be broken on the wheel. So however diverse the motives they but realize the same result. For the rest it is a fact that whatever difference there may be between the peer and the peasant, we have constantly seen both the one and the other meet death with the same composure. Still there is always this difference, that the contempt the peer shows for death is but the love of fame which hides death from his sight; in the peasant it is but the result of his limited vision that hides from him the extent of the evil, end leaves him free to reflect on other things.
-- translated by J.W. Willis Bund and J. Hain Friswell, 1871
[ChatGPT3.5:
Withdrawn Maxim:
Dans l'adversité de nos meilleurs amis, nous trouvons toujours quelque chose qui nous ne nous déplaît pas.
In the adversity of our best friends, we always find something that does not displease us.
[ChatGPT3.5: In the adversity of our best friends, we always find something that does not displease us.]
