“Those who fear men love the laws.”

— Vauvenargues, Reflections and Maxims (1746), tr. E. Lee (1903)

About Vauvenargues

1715 – 1747

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

“Patience is the art of hoping.”

“Necessity relieves us from the embarrassment of choice.”

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

“Love is a thing full of anxious fears.”

“Through want of heart fear seizes on my tongue.”

“He knew she was there by the joy and fear that overwhelmed his heart.”

“So long as we love life for itself, we seldom dread the losing it.”

“If music be the food of love, play on.”

“Give all to love; obey thy heart.”