Nicolas Chamfort

Playwright, Author

1741 – 1794

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Who was Nicolas Chamfort?

Sébastien-Roch Nicolas, also known as Chamfort, was a French writer, best known for his witty epigrams and aphorisms. He was secretary to Louis XVI's sister, and of the Jacobin club.

Famous Quotes:

  • A person of intellect without energy added to it, is a failure.
  • Education must have two foundations --morality as a support for virtue, prudence as a defense for self against the vices of others. By letting the balance incline to the side of morality, you only make dupes or martyrs; by letting it incline to the other, you make calculating egoists.
  • If it were not for the government, we should have nothing to laugh at in France.
  • Paris, a city of gaieties and pleasures, where four-fifths of the inhabitants die of grief. -- About Paris
  • Conviction is the conscience of the mind.
  • There are well-dressed foolish ideas, just as there are will-dressed fools.
  • It is commonly supposed that the art of pleasing is a wonderful aid in the pursuit of fortune; but the art of being bored is infinitely more successful.
  • Nature never said to me: Do not be poor; still less did she say: Be rich; her cry to me was always: Be independent.
  • Preoccupation with money is the great test of small natures, but only a small test of great ones.
  • People are governed with the head; kindness of heart is little use in chess.

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Born
Apr 6, 1741
Clermont-Ferrand
Also known as
  • Sébastien-Roch-Nicolas Chamfort
Nationality
  • France
Profession
Died
Apr 13, 1794
Paris

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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