“Patience is the art of hoping.”

— Vauvenargues, Reflections and Maxims (1746), No. 251

About Vauvenargues

1715 – 1747

French moralist, author of "Reflections and Maxims" (1746).

“Necessity relieves us from the embarrassment of choice.”

“Those who continually slander, rarely do injury: they imagine more evil than they can accomplish.”

“It is proof of a narrow mind when things worthy of esteem are distinguished from things worthy of love.”

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”

“Hope springs exulting on triumphant wing.”

“Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper.”

“Our patience will achieve more than our force.”

“Patience is a necessary ingredient of genius.”