Selections from Vauvenargues

Clarity beautifies deep thoughts.

There are no errors that, rendered clearly, would not erase themselves.

That a thought is too feeble to bear simple expression is the sign to reject it.

Courage is better armed against disgrace than reason.

Reason and liberty are incompatible with weakness.

War is not as onerous as servitude.

Servitude so debases men as to make them love it.

Before returning an abuse, it is well to see if one can undermine its foundations.

Hope invigorates the wise, and lures the presumptuous and indolent, who repose unthinkingly upon its promises.

There is perhaps no truth that would not be, to some faulty mind, the grounds for error.