The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
We give advice, we do not inspire conduct.
Interpretation
Advice often falls short in motivating others to act responsibly.
This quote reflects the idea that while people may share advice or wisdom, it doesn't necessarily translate into action or inspire others to follow through with that guidance. Essentially, providing advice is easier than showing or exemplifying how to put it into practice, highlighting the gap between knowledge and action.
In practice
In a discussion about leadership, this quote could emphasize the importance of role models.
The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Old men delight in giving good advice as a consolation for the fact that they can no longer set bad examples.
Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
It is much more intelligent, more practical, to be good rather than evil.
"Why is everyone here so happy except me?" "Because they have learned to see goodness and beauty everywhere," said the Master. "Why don't I see goodness and beauty everywhere?" "Because you cannot see outside of you what you fail to see inside."
Let me tell so much truth. I want to tell the truth in my work. The truth will lead me to all.
We are all too much inclined, I think, to walk through life with our eyes shut. There are things all round us and right at our very feet that we have never seen, because we have never really looked.
I am bound to tell what I am told, but not in every case to believe it.
Maybe the fear is that we are less than we think we are, when the actuality of it is that we are much much more.
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