Author: Nicolas Chamfort

Public opinion reigns in society because stupidity reigns amongst the stupid.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Beliefs Stupidity

There are girls who manage to sell themselves, whom no one would take as gifts.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Girls People Women

Change of fashion is the tax levied by the industry of the poor on the vanity of the rich.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Appearance Money

It is safe to wager that every public idea and every accepted convention is sheer foolishness, because it has suited the majority.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Intelligence Stupidity

Intelligent people make many mistakes because they cannot believe the world is really as foolish as it is.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Fools Intelligence

There are well-dressed foolish ideas, just as there are well-dressed fools.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Fools Ideas Intelligence

Public opinion is the worst of all opinions.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Beliefs Opinion

I have three kinds of friends: those who love me, those who pay no attention to me, and those who detest me.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Friends People

There are more fools than wise men, and even in a wise man there is more folly than wisdom.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Fools Intelligence Wisdom

The only thing that stops God sending a second Flood is that the first one was useless.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Beliefs God

Man reaches each stage in his life as a novice.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Age

There are more fools than wise men, and even in a wise man there is more folly than wisdom.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Fools Intelligence People

Many men and women enjoy popular esteem, not because they are known, but because they are not known.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Men People Women

How many fools does it take to make up a public?

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Fools Intelligence

Every day I add to the list of things I refuse to discuss; the wiser the man, the longer the list.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Communication Ideas

Swallow a toad in the morning and you will encounter nothing more disgusting the rest of the day.

(1741 – 1794) French writer
Problems