“The usual destiny of those who refuse to listen to the truth is to be led to their ruin by deceptive prophets.”

— Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, Discourse on Universal History, 1681

About Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

1627 – 1704

French bishop and court preacher under Louis XIV.

“The greatest weakness of all weaknesses is to fear too much to appear weak.”

“The world itself makes you sick of the world.”

“Faith is an adherence of the heart to eternal truth.”

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

“He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”