Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Female Literature In France In The Seventeenth Century.
" It is a rare faculty to praise with judgment . Tlie misanthrope cannot accomplish it , for his penetration is weakened by his morosoness ; the flatterer , by over-acting his part , brings discredit on himself , and confers honour on no one ; the vain man praises only to bo praised in his turn . The honest man alone succeeds ; if you desire to render your praise useful , attribute it to others rather than to yourself . " " It is an admirable quality to be able to live on good terms with your and to
competitors , struggle for pre-eminence only with yoxu * self . It is often , useful to make yourself feared , but never to revenge yourself . Narrow minds are vindictive ; great men are lenient . Erom the moment that an enemy repents and humbles himself , you lose the right to seek for vengeance . " " Above all let us beware of envy , it is at once the lowest and the basest passion , in the world . Envy is the shadow of glory , as glory is the shadow of virtue . "
When addressing her daughter , Madame de Lambert becomes eloquent Avith the true eloquence of a mother ' s heart . Can anything be more admirable than what follows ? " One of the . ancients was wont to say that he folded himself in the mantle of his virtue ; fold yourself in that of your religion , it will afford you great assistance against the weaknesses of youth , and an assured
shelter in more advanced life . Were we merely to follow the maxims of the century , what a void should we find in old age ; the past would afford us only regret , the present grief , and tho future terror . " " We exist with our defects as we do Avith the perfumes that we carry about us . We have become unconscious of them , and they produce annoyance only to others . " " Good breeding in our commerce with the world is the girdle of Venus ,
it embellishes and bestows grace on all who possess it ; it is visible in every way ; in conversation , and even in silence ; it is that Avhich forbids the haughty display of talent and intellect , and which crushes in us a love of satire , a pernicious A'ice in society . "
And again in her " Treatise on Friendship : "" Nothing is so sure a guarantee for us to ourselves , and nothing a greater security towards others , than an estimable friend . We cannot allow ourselves to appear imperfect in his eyes ; and thus you never see vice attach itself to virtue . We do not love to find OAirselves in contact with those who judge only to condemn us . " " Let us select our friends cautiousl it is they who determine our
y ; character ; others look for us in them . It is giving to the public our own portrait , and an avowal of what we really are . " " We find in friendship the assurance of good advice , the emulation of good example , participation in sorrow , help in time of need , all without being sought , waited for , or purchased . "
In the treatise on "Olcl Age , " likewise addressed to her daughter , the sentiments of Madame de Lambert do her equal honour . There is no asceticism , no bitterness in the vieAv AA'hich she takes of a period of human existence so universally dreaded ; her great heart still beats Avith the same healthy ancl honest energy ; her fine perception still seizes upon the more delicate , c 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Female Literature In France In The Seventeenth Century.
" It is a rare faculty to praise with judgment . Tlie misanthrope cannot accomplish it , for his penetration is weakened by his morosoness ; the flatterer , by over-acting his part , brings discredit on himself , and confers honour on no one ; the vain man praises only to bo praised in his turn . The honest man alone succeeds ; if you desire to render your praise useful , attribute it to others rather than to yourself . " " It is an admirable quality to be able to live on good terms with your and to
competitors , struggle for pre-eminence only with yoxu * self . It is often , useful to make yourself feared , but never to revenge yourself . Narrow minds are vindictive ; great men are lenient . Erom the moment that an enemy repents and humbles himself , you lose the right to seek for vengeance . " " Above all let us beware of envy , it is at once the lowest and the basest passion , in the world . Envy is the shadow of glory , as glory is the shadow of virtue . "
When addressing her daughter , Madame de Lambert becomes eloquent Avith the true eloquence of a mother ' s heart . Can anything be more admirable than what follows ? " One of the . ancients was wont to say that he folded himself in the mantle of his virtue ; fold yourself in that of your religion , it will afford you great assistance against the weaknesses of youth , and an assured
shelter in more advanced life . Were we merely to follow the maxims of the century , what a void should we find in old age ; the past would afford us only regret , the present grief , and tho future terror . " " We exist with our defects as we do Avith the perfumes that we carry about us . We have become unconscious of them , and they produce annoyance only to others . " " Good breeding in our commerce with the world is the girdle of Venus ,
it embellishes and bestows grace on all who possess it ; it is visible in every way ; in conversation , and even in silence ; it is that Avhich forbids the haughty display of talent and intellect , and which crushes in us a love of satire , a pernicious A'ice in society . "
And again in her " Treatise on Friendship : "" Nothing is so sure a guarantee for us to ourselves , and nothing a greater security towards others , than an estimable friend . We cannot allow ourselves to appear imperfect in his eyes ; and thus you never see vice attach itself to virtue . We do not love to find OAirselves in contact with those who judge only to condemn us . " " Let us select our friends cautiousl it is they who determine our
y ; character ; others look for us in them . It is giving to the public our own portrait , and an avowal of what we really are . " " We find in friendship the assurance of good advice , the emulation of good example , participation in sorrow , help in time of need , all without being sought , waited for , or purchased . "
In the treatise on "Olcl Age , " likewise addressed to her daughter , the sentiments of Madame de Lambert do her equal honour . There is no asceticism , no bitterness in the vieAv AA'hich she takes of a period of human existence so universally dreaded ; her great heart still beats Avith the same healthy ancl honest energy ; her fine perception still seizes upon the more delicate , c 2