Nicolas Chamfort Quotes

All that I've learned, I've forgotten. The little that I still know, I've guessed.

Jim Morrison tells me that people are looking at the streets while I am looking at the moon. I do not feel connected enough [with the issues] to throw stones at a policeman. I want to throw stones at the whole world.

If we would please in society, we must be prepared to be taught many things we know already by people who do not know them.

It is a safe bet that every publicly held idea, every received convention, is foolishness, for it has suited the majority.

If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first.

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.

C'est une belle allégorie, dans la Bible, que cet arbre de la science du bien et du mal qui produit la mort. Cet emblème ne veut-il pas dire que lorsqu'on a pénétré le fond des choses, la pert des illusions amène la mort de l'âme, c'est-à-dire un désintéressement complet sur tout ce qui touches les autres hommes?

Happiness is not easy to find. It's very difficult to find it in yourself — and impossible to find anywhere else.

Cease to know or to tell</br>Or to see or to be your own</br>Have someone else's will as your own</br>Have someone else's will as your own.

Ne tenir dans la main de personne, être homme de son cœur, de ses principes, de ses sentiments, c'est ce que j'ai vu de plus rare.

Les nouveaux amis que nous faisons après un certain âge, et par lesquels nous cherchons à remplacer ceux que nous avons perdus, sont à nos anciens amis ce que les yeux de verre, les dents postiches et les jambes de bois sont aux véritables yeux, aux dents naturelles et aux jambes de chair et d'os.

I once read that there's nothing worse for everyone concerned than a reign that's lasted too long. I've also heard that God is eternal.

The most wasted day of all is that on which we have not laughed.

You are beautiful and you are alone.

Ce que j'ai appris, je l'ai oublié ; ce que je sais, je l'ai inventé.