Anatole France

Stupidity consists in wanting to reach conclusions. We are a thread, and we want to know the whole cloth. - Gustav Flaubert Fanaticism is the child of false zeal and of superstition, the father of intolerance and of persecution. - John William Fletcher To die for an idea is to set a rather high price upon conjecture. - Anatole France The Revolt of the Angels Chance. The pseudonym of God when He did not want to sign.

There is a certain impertinance in allowing oneself to be burned for an opinion.

We do not know what to do with this short life, yet we yearn for another that will be eternal.

Leży to w naturze człowieka, aby mądrze mówić i głupio czynić.

Dobrze, gdy serce jest naiwne, a rozum nie.

Nieśmiałość jest wielkim grzechem przeciw miłości.

In every well-governed state wealth is a sacred thing; in democracies it is the ONLY sacred thing.

A woman must choose: with a man liked by women, she is not sure; with a man disliked by women, she is not happy.

Of all sexual aberrations, chastity is the strangest.

The Law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich, as well as the poor, to sleep under the bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.

It is human nature to think wisely and act foolishly.

Never lend books, for no one ever returns them. The only books I have in my library are books that other folks have leant me.

If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.

It's not by amusing oneself that one learns.

It is well for the heart to be naive and for the mind not to be.

When a thing has been said and well said, have no scruple; take it and copy it.

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Najmniejsza książeczka nasuwająca piękne myśli i szlachetne uczucia, więcej jest warta od wszystkich zakurzonych ksiąg mądrości i traktatów naukowych.

Porządnymi ludĽmi nazywa się zazwyczaj tych ludzi, którzy postępują tak, jak wszyscy inni.

W naturze człowieka leży rozsądne myślenie i nielogiczne działanie.

Nie próbuj zaspokoić swojej próżności nauczając wielu rzeczy. Obudź w ludziach ciekawość. Wystarczy otworzyć umysły, nie przeciążać ich. Umieść tam tylko iskrę. Jeśli są w nich jakieś dobre, łatwopalne rzeczy, ta iskra rozpali ogień.

Do not try to satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many things. Awaken people’s curiosity. It is enough to open minds; do not overload them. Put there just a spark. If there is some good inflammable stuff, it will catch.