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

— Nicolas Chamfort, Maxims and Considerations, E. P. Mathers trans., 1926

About Nicolas Chamfort

1741 – 1794

French writer known for his maxims and epigrams.

“The most completely wasted of all days is that in which we have not laughed.”

“Anyone whose needs are small seems threatening to the rich, because he's always ready to escape their control.”

“Money is the greatest concern for small characters, but is nothing but the smallest for great characters.”

“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.”